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Bulletin No. 226 Series P, Geography, 37 

DEPAETMENT OF THE INTERIOR 

UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 

CHARLES D. VVALCOTT, DIRECTOR 



BOUNDARIES 



OF 



^HE UNITED STATES 



AND OF THE 



SEVERAL STATES AND TERRITORIES 

WITH AN OUTLINE OF THE 

HISTORY OF ALL IMPORTANT CHANGES OF TERRITORY 

(THIRD EDITION) 

BY 




WASHINGTON 

GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 
1904 



BuUetin No. 226 



Series F, Geography, 37 



DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 

UNITED STATES GEOLO(4ICAL SURVEY 



(;HARLKS D. WALCOTT, director 



//y 



BOUNDARIES 



OF 



THE UNITED STATES 



AND OF THE 



SEVERAL STATES AND TERRITOIIIES 



WITH AN OUTLINE OF THE 



HISTORY OF ALL IMPORTANT CHANGES OF TERRITORY 



(THIRD EDITION) 



HENRY GhANlSriLlTT 




WASHINGTON 

GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 
1904 






-oHcr 






C(3NTENTS, 



Page. 

Lettek of transmittal 7 

Chapter I. — Boundaries of the United States, and additionH to it.s territory .. 9 

Boundaries of the United States 9 

Provisional treaty with Great Britain 9 

Treaty with Spain of 1798 10 

Definitive treaty witli Great Britain 10 

Treaty of London, 1794 10 

Treaty of Ghent 11 

ArlMtration l)y King of the Netherlands 16 

Treaty with Great Britain, 1842 j 17 

AVebster- Ash burton treaty with Great Britain, 1846 19 

Additions to the territorj- of the United States 19 

Louisiana purchase 19 

Florida i)urehase 22 

Texas accession 23 

First Mexican cession 23 

Gadsden purchase 25 

Alaska purchase 25 

Hawaiian Islands 28 

Porto Rico, Guam, and Philippine Islands 28 

Tutuila 29 

Chapter II. — The public domain, and an outline of the history of changes 

made therein 30 

Cessions by the States 30 

Territory northwest of the river Ohio 33 

Territory south of the river Ohio 35 

Louisiana and the territory actjuired from Mexico 36 

Chapter III.^ — ^The boundary lines of the States and Territories 39 

]\laine 39 

New Hampshire 47 

Vermont 51 

Massachusetts 54 

Rhode Island 71 

Connecticut 72 

New York 77 

New Jersey 83 

Pennsylvania 85 

Delaware 87 

Maryland -. 89 

District of Columbia 92 

Virginia 95 

AVest Virginia 99 



4 CONTENTS. 

CiiAi'iKi; 1 1 1,- 'I'ln' liniiinlarv liiit'>;<(f tin- Slates ami TtTrilnricw — CoiitM. I'age. 

Nort li ( 'an >l iiia 99 

.South Carolina 103 

<Teorgia 1 04 

Florida 108 

Ala1)ama 109 

,Missi(^sii)pi 110 

Louisiana Ill 

Texas 112 

Arkansas 113 

Tennessee 115 

Kentucky 117 

Ohio 117 

Indiana 119 

Illinois 120 

Michigan 120 

Wisconsin 122 

Missouri 123 

Iowa 124 

Minnesota 125 

Kansas 126 

Nebraska 127 

North Dakota and South Dakota 129 

Oklahoma .' 130 

Montana 131 

Wyoming 132 

Colorado 132 

New Mexico 133 

Utah 133 

Arizona 134 

Nevada 135 

Idaho 136 

Oregon ... 137 

Washington 138 

California 139 



ILLUSTRATIONS. 



Page. 

Plate J, II. Boundary between New York and Canada in St. Lawrence 

River 10 

III. Boundary between New York and Canada in Niagara 

River 10 

' IV. Boundary between United States and Canada in 8t. Clair 

and Detroit rivers 12 

V, VI. Boundary between ■Michigan and Canada fiirough St. 

Marys River 14 

[Maine, showing United States and Britisli claims 
' VII. .. , ' 
[Kxt 



:tract from Disturnell's map, 1847 ' 



VlII-XII. Boundaiy between Maine and Canada 18 

' XIII. Boundary between Maine, New Ilamp.shire, and Canada. 18 

XIV. Map of the United States, showing accessions of teiritory. 20 
XV. Boundary line between southeastern Alaska and Canaila, 
as fixed by award of Alaska Boundary tribunal, October 

20, 1903 - - - 26 

'XVI, XVII. Boundary between Vermont and New York 52 

XVIII, XIX. North boundary of Massachusetts - . 54 

'• XX. Boundarj' between Massachusetts and Rhode Island GO 

' XXI. Boundary between Massachusetts and Connecticut 68 

' XXII. Boundary between Rhode Island and Connecticut 72 

XXIII. Boundary between Connecticut and New York 74 

[ H istorical diagram of New York [ 



' [Historical diagram of Virginia. 

XX \'. Western and southern boundary of New York 80 

XXVI. Northeast boundary of New Jersej' 84 

XX VII-XXXI. Boundary between Virginia and West Virginia 94 

XXXII, XXXIII. Boundary between Virginia and Kentucky 96 

XXXIV. Boundary between Virginia, Tennessee, ami North Cam- 

Hna 98 

XXXV-XXX VII. Boundary l)etween North Carolina and Tennessee 102 

( Ili.^torical diagram of Georgia I . _ 

XXXVIII. L.. , • , ,• fuT- • • • '<^-i 

I Historical diagram or Mississippi J 

(Historical diagram of Louisiana 1 , , „ 

XXXIX. {„• , ■ ^ r frr 112 

[Historical tliagram oi lexas I 

(Historical diagram of Arkansas 1 , , , 

\' T < 1 1 -i 

''■ [Historical diagram of Ohio I 

XLI-XLIII. Boundary between Kentucky and Tennessee 116 

XLI V. Historical diagram of Indiana 118 

XLV. Historical diagram of Illinois 120 

,^ (Historical diagram of Michigan 1 

■ [Historical diagram of Wisconsin ( 

XLVII. Hi.'^torical diagram of M issouri 122 

jH istorical diagram of Minn* 
[Historical diagram of Iowa. 



, jH istorical diagram of Minnesota I 



5 



ILLUSTRATIONS. 



I'l.Mi: \I.1X 
•L 
I 



■■■I 



\A\. 
1,111. 
J,l\'. 



Page. 

IliHtorical «lia<jrraiii of Kansas j 

I 1 '•'6 
Ilistoiital (iia^rraiii of i\('l)raska | 

Historical dia'Tam of Nortii JMkota and South Dakota I 

Historical iliatjraiii of Oklalioiua Territory ) 

1 1 istorical diairraiii <tf Ntnv Mexico j 

Historical (liajrrain of Utah | 

Historiial diayrrain of Arizona j 

Historical diagram of Nevada | '* 

I i istorical diagram of Idaho I'iii 

Historical diagram of < )rc<roii I 

Histori»-al diagram of Washington | 



LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL. 



Department of the Interior, 
United States Geological Survey, 

Washington^ D. ('., Jidixai'y IJf,^ 1901^. 
Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith, for publication as a 
bulletin, a revised (third) edition of the " Boundaries of the United 
States and of the Several States and Territories," as defined by treaty, 
charter, or statute. Besides giving* the present status of these bound- 
aries, I have endeavored to present an outline of the histor}' of all 
important changes of territory, with the laws appertaining thereto. 

This work was tirst published as Bulletin No. 13, in 1885. iV second 
edition, much enlarged, constituted Bulletin No. 171, published in 
1900. 

Very respectfidly, Henry Gannett, 

Geographer'. 
Hon. Charles D. Walcott, 

Jjirector United States Geological Surt^eg. 



BOUNDARIES OF THE UNITED STATES AND OF THE SEVERAL STATES AND 
TERRITORIES. WITH AN OUTLINE OF THE HISTORY OF ALL IMPORTANT 
CHANGES OF TERRITORY. 



By Henry Gannett. 



chaptp:r I. 

BOUNDARIES OF THE UNITED STATES, AND ADDITIONS 
TO ITS TERRITORY. 

BOUNDARIES OF THE UNITED STATES. 

Provisional Treaty with Great Britain. 

The original limits of the United States were first definitely laid 
down in the provisional treat}^ made with Great Britain in 17S2. The 
second article of that treaty defines its boundaries as follows: 

From the northwest angle of Nova Scotia, viz, that angle which is formed by a line 
drawn due north from the source of St. Croix River to the highlands; along the 
highlands which divide those rivers that empty themselves into the river St. Law- 
rence from those which fall into the Atlantic Ocean, to the northwesternmost hea<l 
of Connecticut Eiver; thence down along the middle of that river to the forty-fifth 
degree of north latitude; from thence, by a line due west on said latitude until it 
strikes the river Iroquois or Cataraquy (St. Lawrence); thence along the middle of 
said river into Lake Ontario, through the middle of said lake until it strikes the 
communication l)y water between that lake and Lake Erie; thence along the middle 
of said communication into Lake Erie, through the middle of .-aid lake until it arrives 
at the water communication Letween that lake and Lake Huron; thence along the 
middle of said water communication into the Lake Huron ; thence through the middle 
of said lake to the water communication between that lake and Lake Superior; thence 
through Lake Superior northward of the Isles Royal and Phelippeaux to the Long 
Lake; thence through the middle of said Long Lake, and the water communication 
between it and the Lake of the Woods, to the said Lake of the Woods; thence through 
the said lake to the most northwestern point thereof, and from thence on a due west 
course to the river Mississippi; thence by a line to be drawn along the middle of the 
said river Mississippi until it shall intersect the northernmost i)art of the thirty-first 
degree of north latitude. South by a line to be drawn due east from the determina- 
tion of the line last mentioned, in the latitude of thirty-one degrees north of the 
Equator, to the middle of the river Apalachicola or Catahouche; thence along the 
middle thereof to its junction with the Flint River; thence straight to the head of 
St. Mary's River; and thence down along the middle of St. Mary's River to the 
Atlantic Ocean. East by a line to be drawn along the middle of the river St. Croix, 



10 BOUNDARIES <>F THK UNITED STATES. [bvi,l.226. 

from its iiioMtli ill till' l'.;i\- >>i Vnui\y {<> ils source, ainl Irum its suiirr<- .lircctly lun-thi 
to tilt' aloi-fsai'l lii-rlilaiiilH uliicli dividi- tlic riviT^i tliat fall into tlic Atlaiitir Oivaa 
from lliosc wliicli fall into tin- river SI. Lawrence; conipreliendint; all islandH within 
twenty lea^MU'S of any part of tlie shores of the I'niteil States and lyinj^ between hnes 
to he tlrawn due east from the jxiints wliere the aforesaid boundaries lu-tween Xova 
Scotia on the mie part and East Florida nn t lie other, shall n-spectively touch the 
liay of FniKly and flic Atlantic Ocean, cxi cpliii^' sucli islands us now are, or hereto- 
fore have heeii, within tlic limits of Ihe saiil province of Xova Scotia. 

Tkkatv wiTir Si'.viN of 1798. 

'riic boundary between the United States mid the Spanish Posses- 
.sions, known :is the Floi-idas, is reafBiinod in tiie tn^aty l)etween the 
United States and Si)aiii, made in ITt^f), in the following- term 

The southern houn(hiry of the United States, which <livides their territory from tlie 
Spanish colonies of East and West Florida, shall he designated hy a line beginning 
on the river .Mississijijii, at the northeriunost jiart of the thirty-tirst degree of latitude 
north of the e(iuator, which from thence shall be drawn (Uie east to the middle of 
the river Apalachicola or Catahouche, thence along the middle thereof to its junc- 
tion with the Flint; thence straight to the liead of St. Mary's River, and thence 
down the middle thereof to the Atlantic Ocean. 

Definitive Treaty with (Jkeat Britain. 

The definitive treaty of peace Avitli Great Britain, cunchided Sep- 
tember 3, 1783, defines the boundaries of the United States in terms 
simihir to those of the provisional treaty. 

The northern boundary became at once a fruitful source of dissension 
between the two countries. From the time of the conclusion of peace 
almost to the present day this line has been the subject of a series of 
treaties, commissions, and surveys for the purpose of interpreting its 
terms. 

Tiie following" is in outline a history of the settlement of this 

boundary ^ 

Treaty of London, 1794. 

The fourtii article of the treaty of London, signed November 19, 
179-1, provided that — 

Whereas it is uncertain whether the river Mississippi extends so far to the north- 
ward as to be intersected by a line to be drawn due west from the Lake of tlie Woods 
in the manner mentioned in the treaty of peac^e between His Majesty and the United 
States, etc., the two jiarties will proceed by amicable negotiation to regulate the 
boundary line in that quarter. 

This matter was not settled, however, until 1818. 
The fifth article of the same treat}^ makes provision for settling 
another doubtful point, as follows: 

Whereas doubts have arisen what river was truly intended under the name of the 
river St. Croix mentioned in the said treaty of peace, and forming a part of the 
boundary therein described, that question shall l)e referred to the tinal decision of 
commissions to be appointed in the following manner, viz. 



n 



U. S GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 



BULLETIN NO. 226 PL. Ill 



ZaAc On/n/to 




LcxMje £ru: 



BOUNDARY BETWEEN NEW YORK AND CANADA IN NIAGARA RIVER. 



GANNETT] NORTHERN BOUNDARY. 11 

Here follow provisioii.s that His Majesty' and the President of the 
United States should each appoint a eoniniissioner, and that these two 
commissioners should agree on a third, or, they failing to agree on the 
third, he was to be chosen b}- lot in their presence. 

Which was the true St. Croix River had been a matter of contro- 
vers}^ between the governments of Massachusetts and Nova Scotia 
since the year 176-1. 

The commissioners appointed under the foregoing provisions 
decided, on the 25th of October, 1798, the river called Schoodiac and 
the northerii branch thereof (called Cheputnaticook) to be the true 
river St. Croix, and that its source was at the northernmost head- 
spring of the northern l^ranch aforesaid. A monument was erected 
at that spot under the direction of the commissioners. (See Memoirs 
of Northeastern Boundar}', Gallatin, pages 7, 8.) 

Tkkaty of Ghent. 

By the treaty of peace concluded at Ghent, December 21, 1811, it 
was agreed to provide for a final adjustment of the boundaries described 
in the treaty of 1783, which had not yet been ascertained and deter- 
mined, embracing certain islands in the Bay of Fundy and the whole 
of the boundary line from the source of the river St. Croix to the 
most northwestern point of the Lake of the Woods. 

B}- article 1 provision was made for a ))oard of commissioners to 
settle the title to several islands in the Ba}^ of Passamaquoddy, which 
is a part of the Bay of Fundy, and the island of Grand Menan in the 
said Bay of Fundy. 

The fifth article made provision for a board of commissioners to 
settle the boundary from the source of the river St. Croix northward 
to the highland which divides those waters that empty themselves 
into the river St. Lawrence from those which fall into the Atlantic 
Ocean, thence along said highlands to the northwesternmost head of 
Connecticut River, thence down along the middle of that river to the 
forty-fifth degree of north latitude, thence due west on said latitude 
until it strikes the river Iroquois or Cataraquy (St. Lawrence). 

The sixth and seventh articles provided for commissioners to con- 
tinue the line to the northwestern point of the Lake of the Woods. 

(For further details see treaty, Statutes at Large, vol. 8, pp. 220-2.) 

It was provided hy this treat}' that in case an}^ of the boards of 
commissioners were unable to agree, they should make separatel}'^ or 
jointly a report or reports to their respective Governments stating 
the points on which thev differed, the grounds on which they based 
their respective opinions, etc. 

These reports were to be referred to some friendly sovereign or 
state for arbitration. 

The first and third l)oards of commissioners above mentioned came 

Bull. 226—04 2 



.1 



12 BOUND A.RIE8 OF THE UNITED STATES. [bull. 226. 

to an auTcciiKMil. and tho.so portions of tlic boundarv were thus finally 
settled; ImiI the coMiiMission a|)i)oint('d undci- the iifth artirh', after 
sittinji;- nearly live years, could not aji-i'ec on any of themattei's referred*, 
to them, nor even on a general map of the country exhiliiting the^ 
hoiuidaries respectively claimed by each party. The}^ accordingly 
made separ:ite reports to their (lovernments. stating the points o 
which they ditl'eredand the grounds upon which their respective opin 
ions had been formed. 

The first of these commissions awai'ded Aloore, Dudley, and Fred- 
erick Islands to the United States, and all other islands in Passama- 
quoddy Bay. and the island of Grand Menan, to Great Britain. 

The following is the text of the report of the third of these commis- 
sions, which had under consideration that portion of the northern 
boundary between the point where the forty-fifth parallel of north lati- 
tude strikes the St. Lawrence and the point where the bounday reaches 
Lake Superior: 

Decision of the (.■oinmissioners under tliesixtli article of the treaty of (4hent, doneat 
rtica, in the State of New York, 18th June, 1822. 

We do decide and declare that the following-d escribed line (which is more clearly 
indicated on a series of maps accompanying this report, exhibiting correct surveys 
and delineations of all the rivers, lakes, water communications, and islands embraced 
by the sixth article of the treaty of Ghent, by a black line shaded on the British 
side with red and on the American side with blue; and each sheet of which series of 
maps is identified by a certificate, subscribed by the commissioners, and by the two 
principal surveyors employed by them) is the true boundary intended by the two 
before-mentioned treaties, that is to say : 

Beginning at a stone monument, erected by Andrew EUicot, esij., in the year 1817, 
on the south bank or shore of the said river Iroquois, or Cataracjui (now called the 
St. Lawrence), which monument )>ears south 74° 45' west, and is 1,840 yards dis- 
tant from the stone church in the Indian village of 8t. Regis, and indicates the point 
at which the forty-fifth parallel of north latitude strikes the said river; thence run- 
ning north ,35° 45' west into the river, on a line at right angles with the southern 
shore, to a point 100 yards south of the opposite island, called Cornwall Island; 
thence turning westerly and passing around the southern and western sides of said 
island, keeping 100 yards distant therefrom, and following the curvatures of its 
shores, to a point opposite to the northwest corner or angle of said island; thence 
to and along the middle of the main river until it approaches the eastern extremity 
of Barnhart's Island; thence northerly along the channel which divides the last- 
mentioned island from the Canada shore, keeping 100 yards distant from the island, 
until it approaches Sheik's Island ; thence along the middle of the strait which divides 
Barnhart's and Sheik's islands to the channel called the LongSault, which separates 
the two last-mentioned islanils from the lower Long Sault Island; thence westerly 
(crossing the center of the last-mentioned channel) until it approaches within 100 
yards of the north shore of the Lower Sault Island; thence up the north branch of the 
river, keeping to the north of and near the Lower Sault Island, and also north of 
and near the Upper Sault, sometimes called Baxter's Island, and south of the two 
small islands marked on the map A and B, to the western extremity of the Upper 
Sault or Baxter's Island; thence, passing between the two islands called the Cats, 
to the middle of the river above; thence along the middle of the river, keeping to 



U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 



BULLETIN NO. 226 PL. IV 



DETRorrX 




BOUNDARY BETWEEN UNITED STATES AND CANADA IN ST. CLAIR AND DETROIT RIVERS. 



GANNETT] NORTHERN BOUNDARY. 13 

the north of the small islands marked C and D, and north also of Chrystler's Inland, 
and of the small island next alxive it, marked K, nntil it approaches the north- 
east angle of Goase Neck Island; thence along the passage which divides the last- 
mentioned island from the Canada shore, keeping 100 yards from the island to the 
njiper end of the same; thence south of and near the two small islands called the Nut 
Islands; thence north of and near the island marked F, and also of the island called 
Dry or Smuggler's Island; thence passing between the islands marked G and H to the 
nt)rth of the island called Isle an Rapid Piatt; thence along the north side of the last- 
mentioned island, keeping 100 yards from the shore, to the upper end thereof; thence 
along the middle of the river, keeping to the south of and near the islands called 
Coussin (orTussin) and Presque Isle; thence up the river, keeping north of and near 
the several Gallop Isles numbered on the map 1, 2, 8, 4, 5, C, 7, S, 9, and 10, and also 
of Tick, Tibbits, and Chimney islands, and south of and near the Gallop Isles num- 
bered 11, 12, and 13, and also of Duck, Drummond, and Sheep islands; thence along 
the middle of the river, passing north of island No. 14, south of 15 and 16, north of 17, 
south of 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, and 28, and north of 26 and 27; thence along the 
middle of the river, north of Gull Island and of the islands Nos. 29, 32, 33, 34, 35, Bluff 
Island, and Nos. 39, 44, and 45, ar.d to the south of Nos. 30, 31, 36, Grenadier Island, 
and Nos. 37, 38, 40, 41, 42, 43, 46, 47, and 48, until it approaches the east end of Well's 
Island; thence to the north of Well's Island, and along the strait which divides it 
from Rowe's Island, keeping to the north of the small islands Nos. 51, 52, 54, 58, 59, 
and 61, and to the south of the small islands numbered and marked 49, 50, 53, 55, 
57, 60, and H, until it approaches the northeast point of Grindstone Island; thence 
to the north of Grindstone Island, and keeping to the north also of the small islands 
Nos. 63, 65, 67, 68, 70, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, and 78, and to the soiath of Nos. 62, 64, 
66, 69, and 71, until it appi'oaches the southern point of Hickory Island; thence pass- 
ing to the south of Hickory Island and of the two small islands lying near its southern 
extremity, numbered 79 and 80; thence to the south of Grand or Long Island, keep- 
ing near its southern shore, and passing to the north of Carlton Island, until it arrives 
opposite to the southwestern point of said Grand Island, in Lake Ontario; thence, 
passing to the north of Grenadier, Fox, Stony, and the Gallop islands, in Lake 
Ontario, and to the south of and near the islands called the Ducks, to the middle of 
the said lake; thence westerly along the middle of said lake to a point opposite the 
mouth of the Niagara River; thence to and up the middle of the said river to the 
Great Falls; thence up the Falls through the point of the Horse Shoe, keeping to the 
west of Iris or Goat Island, and of the group of small islands at its head, and follow- 
ing the bends of the river so as to enter the strait l)etween Navy and Grand islands; 
thence along the middle of said strait to the head of Navy Island; thence to the west 
and south of and near t(j Cirand and Beaver islands, and to the west of Strawberry, 
Squaw, and Bird islands to Lake Erie; thence southerly and westerly along the 
middle of Lake Erie in a direction to enter the passage immediately south of Middle 
Island, being one of the easternmost of the group of islands lying in the western i)art 
of said lake; thence along the said passage, proceeding to the north of Cunningham's 
Island, of the three Bass Islands, and of the Western Sister, and to the south of the 
islands called the Hen and Chickens, and of the Eastern and Middle Sisters; thence 
to the middle of the moutli f)f the Detroit River in a direction to enter the channel 
which divides Bois Blanc and Sugar islands; thence up the said channel to the west 
of Bois Blanc Island, and to the east of Sugar, Fox, and Stony islands, until it 
approaches Fighting or Great Turkey Island; thence along the western side and near 
the shore of said last-mentioned island to the middle of the river above the same; 
thence-along the middle of said river, keeping to the southeast of and near Hog 
Island, and to the northwest of and near tlie island Isle a. la Peche, to Lake Saint 
Clair; thence through the middle of said lake in a direction to enter that mouth or 
channel of the river St. Clair which is usually denominated the Old Ship Channel; 



14 BOUNDARlE>^ OF THE UNITED STATES, [bitu..226. 

tlu'iKH' .iliiiij,' tlic iiiiildlc 111' saiil tliaiiin-l, iR'tuet'ii S(|uiirfl Island on tlu- southeast^ 
and Ilcrson's l.^jlaud on the northwest, to tlie npiuT end of the laHt-nicntioncd island, 
which is nearly opposite to Point an Chines, on the American shore; thence along 
the middle of the river Saint Clair, keeping to the west of and near the islands called 
Belle Riviere Isle and the Isle anx Cerfs, to Lake Huron; thence through tlve middle 
of Lake Huron in a direction to enter the strait or passage between Drummond's 
Island on the west and the Little Manitou Island on the east; thence through the 
middle of the passage which divides the two last-mentioned islands; thence, turning 
northerly and westerly, around the eastern and northern shores of Drummond's 
Island, and proceeding in a direction to enter the ])assage between the island of Saint 
Joseph's and the American shore, jiassing to the north of the intermediate islands 
Nos. 01, 11, 10, 12, 9, 6, 4, and 2, and t(j the south of those num))ered 15, LS, 5, and 
1 ; thencre up the said last-mentioned i)assage, keeping near to the island Saint Joseph's, 
and passing to the north and east of Isle a la Crosse and of the small islands numbered 
16, 17, 18, 19, and 20, and to the south and west of those numbered 21, 22, and 23, 
until it strikes a line (drawn on the map with black ink and shaded on one side of 
the ])oint of intersection with l>lue and on the other with red) passing across the 
river at the head of Saint Joseph's Island and at the foot of the Neebish Ilapids, 
which line denotes the termination of the boundary directed to be run l)y the sixth 
article of the treaty of Ghent. 

And the said commissioners do further decide and declare that all the islands lying 
in the rivers, lakes, and water communications between the before-described bound- 
ary line and the adjacent shores of Upper Canada do, and each of them does, belong 
to His Britannic Majesty, and that all the islands lying in the rivers, lakes, and 
water communications between the said boundary line and the adjacent shores of the 
United States or their territories do, and each of them does, belong to the United 
States of America, in conformity with the true intent of the second article of the said 
treaty of 1783, and of the sixth article of the treaty of (client. 

In accordance with the terms of this treaty, a survey was made of 
the St. Lawrence and the (rreat Lakes, and a map prepared. This was 
})hotolithog-raphed and published, in 29 sheets, by the United States 
Lig-ht-House Board, in 1891. 

P)y the second article of the convention with Great Britain — 1S18 — 
the boundaiy line was extended Avestward along- the forty-ninth par- 
allel of latitude to the "Stony" (Rocky) Mountains, while beyond 
these mountains the treaty provided that the country should remain 
open to ))oth parties. The terms of the treaty areas follows: 

Article 2. It is agreed that a line drawn from the most northwestern point of the 
Lake of the Woods along the forty-ninth parallel of north latitude, or if the said 
point shall not be in the forty-ninth i)arallel of north latitudes then that a line tlrawn 
from the said point due north or south, as the case may be, until the said line shall 
intersect- the said ])arallel of north latitude, and from the point of such intersection 
due west along and with the said parallel, shall be the line of demarkation Ijetween 
the territories of the United States and those of His Britannic Majesty, and that the 
said line shall form the northern boundary of the said territories of the United 
States and the southern boundary of the territories of His Britannic Majesty from 
the Lake of the Woods to the Stony Mountains. 

Article 3. It is agreed that any country that may be claimed by either jiarty on 
the northwest coast of America, w'estward of the Stony Mountains, shall, together 
with its harbours, Itays, and creeks, and the navigation of all rivers within the same, 
be free and open, for the term of ten years from the date of the signature of the 
present convention, to the vessels, citizens, and subjects of the two powers; it being 



GANXETT] . NORTHERN BOUNDARY. 15 

well understood that this agreement is not to be construed to the prejudice of any 
claim which either of the two high contracting parties may have to any part of the 
said country, nor shall it be taken to affect the claims of any other power or state 
to any part of the said country; the only object of the high contracting ])arties in 
that respect l)eing to prevent disputes and differences amongst themselves. 

In 1824 negotiations were resumed between the two countries for tiie 
settlement, among- other thing's, of the boundary west of the Rocky 
Mountains, but no conclusion was reached; the claim of the English 
Government being that the boundary line should follow the forty ninth 
parallel Avestward to the point where this parallel strikes the great 
northwestern branch of Columbia Rivei'. thence down the middle of 
that river to the Pacific Ocean. 

In 1826 negotiations were resumed, and several compromises were 
proposed l)y both parties, but without satisfactory results. After this 
the Avhole matter remained in abeyance until the special mission of 
Lord Ashburton to this country in 1842. 

Meanwhile the unsettled questions regarding the northeastern ])ound- 
ary again came up. 

The case having reached that stage at which it became necessary to 
refer the points of difference to a friendl}" sovereign or state, the two 
powers found it expedient to regulate the proceedings and make pro- 
visions in relation to such reference, and on the 29th September, 1827, 
concluded a convention to that effect. 

The respective claims of the United States and Great Britain were 
as follows, viz: 

Boundary claimed hy United States. — From the source of the river 
St. Croix (a point of departure mutually acknowledged) the boundary 
shoidd be a due north line for about 140 miles, crossing the river 
St. John at about T5 nules. At abol^t 97 miles it reaches a ridge 
or highland Avhicli divides tributarj'^ streams of the river St. John, 
which falls into the Bay of Fundy, from the waters of the river Risti- 
gouche, which falls through the Ba}^ des Chaleurs into the Gulf of St. 
Lawrence. In its further course the said due north line, after crossing 
several upper branches of the river Ristigouche, I'eaches, at about 140 
miles, the liighlands which divide the waters of the said river Risti- 
gouche from the tributary streams of the river Metis, which falls into 
the river St. Lawrence. 

Thence the line should run westerly and southwesterl}^ along the 
highlands which divide the sources of the several rivers (from the Metis 
to the St. Francis) that empty themselves into the river St. Lawrence — 
from the sources of the tributaries of the rivers Ristigouche, St. John, 
Penobscot, Kennebec, and Connecticut, all which either mediately or 
immediately fall into the Atlantic Ocean. 

Benindary claimed hy Great Britain. — From the source of the river 
St. Croix the boundary should ]je a due north line about 40 miles to a 
point at or near Mars Hill; thence it shoidd run westerly about 115 



16 BOUNDARIES OF THK UNITED STATES. [b'i 

niilos al()ii<( tlic liij^liluiids that divide the sources of the tributaries of 
tiie i-iver St. .John fiom the sources of the river Penobscot to a spot] 
called Mctjannette Portage, near the source of the river Chaudiere. 

From this ])()int the line coincides with the line claimed by the United 
States until the northwesternmost head of the Connecticut River is 
reached. Great Britain claimed one of several small streams to be the 
north westermnost tributary of the Connecticut River, and the United 
States anothoi-. 

Arbitration by King of the Netherlands. 

The King of the Netherlands was selected in 1829 by the two Gov- 
ernments as the arbiter, and each laid before him, in conformity with 
the provisions of the convention, all the evidence intended to be brought 
in support of its claim, and two separate statements of the respective 
cases. These four statements, which embrace the arguments at large 
of each party, respectively, have been printed, but not published (1840). 

The award of the King of the Netherlands, made in 18.S1, was as 

follows, viz: 

******* 

We are of the opinion that it will be suitable {il convievdra) to adopt as the bound- 
ary of the two States a line drawn due north from the source of the river St. Croix 
to the point where it intersects the middle of the thalweg of the river St. John; 
thence the middle of the thalweg of that river, ascending it to the point where the 
river St. Francis empties itself into the river St. John; thence the middle of the 
thalweg of the river Saint Francis, ascending it to the source of its southwesternmost 
branch, which source we indicate on the Map A by the letter X, authenticated by 
the signature of our minister of foreign affairs; thence in a line drawn due west to 
the jioiut wliere it unites with the line claimed by the United States of America and 
delineated on the ]\Iay A; thence said line to the point at which, according to said 
map, it coincides with that claimed by Great Britain, and thence the line traced on 
the map by tlie two jx)wers to the north westermnost source of Connecticut River. 
■K * * * -;;- X- 

We are of the opinion that the stream situated farthest to the northwest, among 
these which fall into the northernmost of the three lakes, the last of which bears 
the name of Connecticut Lake, must be considered as the northwesternmost head of 
Connecticut River. 

******* 

We are of the opinion that it will l>e suitable {il conviendra) to proceed to fresh 
operations to measure the ol)served latitude in order to mark out the boundary from 
river C^mnecticut along the parallel of the forty-Hfth degree of north latitude to the 
river Saint I^awrence, named in the treaties Irocjuois or Cataraquy, in such a manner, 
however, that, in all cases, at the place called Rouse's Point the territory of the 
United States of America shall extend to the fort erected at that place, and shall 
include said fort and its kilometrical radius (nn/on kilometrique) . 

* * * * ' * * * 

However disposed the Government of the United States might have 
been to acquiesce in the decision of the arbiter, it had not the power 
to change the boundaries of a State without the consent of the State. 
Against that alteration the State of Maine entered a solemn protest by 



I 



U. 8. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 



BULLETIN NO. 226 PL. VII 




NORTHERN BOUNDARY OF MAINE, SHOWING UNITED 
STATES AND BRITISH CLAIMS. 




PORTION OF DISTURNELL'S MAP OF SOUTHWESTERN BOUNDARY, 1847 
(SEE PAGES 23-24). 



NNETT.] NORTHEASTERN BOUNDARY. 17 

[le resolution of 19th Jamuirv, ls;32. And the Senate of the United 
. tates did accordinoly refuse to t^ive its assent to the award. 

S The arbitration of the Kino- of the Netherhmds having failed, fruit- 
less negotiations ensued for a period of eleven years. Unsuccessful 
ittenipts were made to conelude an agreement preparatory to another 

^ar])itration. The subject became a matter of great irritation, collisions 
occurred in the contested territory, and for a time it seemed certain 
lliat the controvers}' would result in war between the two powers. In 
1S42, however, Great Britain gave unequivocal proof of her desire for 
the preservation of peace, and an amicable arrangement of the matter 
at issue, b}- the special mission of Lord Ashl)urton to the United 
States. The subject of this mission was the settkment, not only of the 
.lortheastern boundary, ])ut the northern l)Oundary west of the Rock3^ 
Mountains. Regarding this object of his mission, Lord Ashburton's 

ninstructions gave as the ultimatum of the English Government the 
boundary as above claimed (p. 15), and, naturally, his mission had no 
result, as far as this portion of the ])oundary was concerned. 

An agreement was reached, however, in regard to the northeastern 
houndarv, which, the consent of the Stateof Maine having beenobtained, 
vas embodied in the treaty concluded August 9, 1842. 

Treaty with (Ikkat Britain, 1842. 

The following is the text of the portion of this treaty relating to the 
)()undary: 

Article I. It is herel^y agreed and .leclared that the line of boundary shall be as 
follows: Beginning at the inonunient at the suurre of the river !St. Croix, as desig- 
nated and agreed to by the commissioners under the fifth article of tlie treaty of 
'1794, between the <Tovernments of the United vStates and Great Britain; thence 
north, following the exploring line run and marked by the surveyors of the two 
Governments in the years 1817 and 1818, under the fifth article of the treaty of 
iGhent, to its intersection with the river St. John, and to the middle of the channel 
thereof; thence up the middle of the main channel of the said river St. John, to the 
nionth of the river Saint Francis; thence up the middle of the channel of the said 
river St. Francis, and of the lakes through which it flows, to the outlet of the Lake 
pohenagaiiiook; thence southwesterly, in a straight line, to a point on the north- 
west branch of the river St. John, which point shall be ten miles distant from the 
main branch of the St. John, in a straight line, and in the nearest direction, but if 
the said point shall be found to be less than seven miles from the nearest point of 
the summit or crest of the highlands that divide those rivers which empty them- 
selves into the river St. Lawrence from those which fall into the river St. John, 
there Ihe said point shall be made to recede down the said northwest branch of tlie 
river St. John to a point seven miles in a straight line from the said summit or 
crest; thence in a straight line, in a course about south, eight degrees west, to the 
point where the parallel of latitude 46° 25' north intersects the southwest branch of 
the St. John's; thence southerly, by the said branch, to the source thereof in the 
jiighlands at tlie Metjarmette portage; thence down along the said highlands which 
divide the waters which empty themselves into the river Saint Lawrence from those 
which fall into the Atlantic Ocean, to the head of Hall's stream; thence down the 



18 BOUNDAKIEft OF THE UNITED STATES. [BtTi.i.2'.'r,. 

iiiiiMlc of said stream till tiu' line tlius niii iiitcrst'cts the old line of iMiiiiidaiy su 
veyed and marked hy Valentiiie and C<jllins, previonnly to the year 1774, aw tlie 4r)t| 
dejiree of north latitude, and wSiich has l)een known and understood to l)e the lira 
of aetual division lietween the States of New York and Vermont on one side, am 
tlie British province of Canada on the other; and from said point of intersection/ 
west, along the said dividing line, as heretofore known and understood, to th^ 
Iroquois or St. Lawrence River. 

Akticle II. It is moreover agreed that, from the place wlicre the joint rommi^ 
sioners terminated their labors under the sixth article of the treaty of (Jhent, to wi 
at a point in the Neebish channel, near Muddy I^ake, the line shall run into an( 
along the ship channel, between St. Josei)h and Saint Tammany islands, to tl 
division of the channel at or near the head of St. Joseph's Island; thence turnir 
eastwardly and northwardly around the lower end of St. George'.s or Sugar Islam 
and following the middle of the channel which divides St. George's from St. Joseph^ 
Island; thence up the east Neebish channel, nearest to St. George's Island, througj 
the middle of Lake George; thence west of Jonas' Island, into St. Mary's River, r 
a i)oint in the middle of that river, about one mile above St. George's or Sug; 
Island, so as to appropriate and assign tlu^ said island to the United States; thenc: 
adopting the line traced on the majis by the commissioners, through the river S 
Mary and Lake Superior, to a point north of He Royale, in said lake, one hundre 
yards to the north and east of He Chapeau, which last mentioned island lies neail 
the northeastern point of He Royale, where the line marked l)y the conniiissioner!-| 
terminates; and from the last-mentioned point, soutliAvesterly, through the middle'' 
of the sound between He Royale and the northwestern mainland, to the mouth oii 
Pigeon River, and up the said river, to and through the north and south Fow'( 
Lakes, to the lakes of the height of land between Lake Superior and the Lake of the 
Woods; thence along the Avater communication to Lake Saisaginaga, and through 
that lake; thence to and through Cypress Lake, Lac du Bois Blanc, Lac hi Croix, 
Little Vermillion Lake, and Lake Namecan, and through the severel smaller lakes, 
straits, or streams, connecting the lakes here mentioned to that point in Lac 14 
Pluie, or Rainy Lake, at the Chaudiere Falls, from which the conmiissioners traced 
the line to the most northwestern point of the Lake of the Woods; thence, along the 
said line, to the said most northwestern point, being in latitude 49° 23'' SS*" nortli, 
and in longitude 1)5° 14' 38" west from the observatory at Greenwich; thence, accord- 
ing to existing treaties, due south to its intersection with the forty-ninth parallel of 
north latitude, and along that parallel to the Rocky Mountains. It being under- 
stood that all the water communications and all the usual portages along the line 1 
from Lake Superior to the Lake of the Woods, and also Grand Portage, from the 
shore of Lake Superior to the Pigeon River, as now actually used, shall be free and 
open to the use of the citizens and subjects of l)oth countries. I 

* * * * * * * j 

Article VII. It is further agreed that the channels in the river St. Lawrence, on 
both sides of the Long Sault Islands, and of Barnhart Island; the channels in the 
river Detroit, on both sides of the island Bois Blanc, and between that island and 
both the American and Canadian shores, and all the several channels and passages 
between the various islands lying near the junction of the river St. Clair with thej 
lake of that name, shall be equally free and open to the ships, vessels, and boats of 
both parties. | 

Between 1843 and 1846 there was considerable negotiation regard- 
ing the boundary west of the Rocky Mountains, resulting finally in the, 
Webster- Ashburton treaty, which defined the boundary as far west as) 
the straits of Juan de Fuca. The following is that portion of the treatyll 
which defines the boundary. ' 



0. 8. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 



BULLETIN NO. 226 PL. VIII 




BOUNDARY BETWEEN MAINE AND CANADA. 

Bull. 226—04 3 



U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 



BULLETIN NO. 22fi PL. IX 




BOUNDARY BETWEEN MAINE AND CANADA. 



U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 



BULLETIN NO. 226 PL. X 




BOUNDARY BETWEEN MAINE AND CANADA. 



U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 



BULLETIN NO. 226 PL. XI 




BOUNDARY BETWEEN MAINE AND CANADA. 



U. 6. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 



BULLETIN NO. 226 fiL. Xll 




70°40' ^rt. 



70*35' 



4^20- 



70*0' 



BOUNDARY BETWEEN MAINE AND CANADA. 



I. 8. QEOLOGleAL SURVEY 



BULLETIN NO. 25« PL. XIII 




BOUNDARY BETWEEN MAINE, NEW HAMPSHIRE, AND CANADA. 



GANNETi.] BOUNDARY WEST OF KOCKY MOUNTAINS. 19 

WEMSTER-AsniJUKToN Tkeatv WITH Gkeat Bkitain, 1 S4<). 

Aktkle 1. From the point on the forty-ninth parallel of north latitude, where the 
boundary laid down in existing treaties and conventions between the United States 
and Great Britain terminates, the line of boundary between the territories of the 
United States and those of Her Britannic Majesty shall be continued westward along 
the said forty-ninth parallel of north latitude to the middle of the channel which 
separates the continent from Vancouver's Island, and thence southerly through the 
middle of the said channel, and of Fuca's Straits to the Pacific Ocean: Provided, hov- 
ever, That the navigation of the whole of the said channel and straits south of the 
forty-ninth parallel of north latitude remain free and open to both parties. 

Article II. From the jwint at which the forty-ninth parallel of north latitude 
shall be found to intersect the great northern branch of the Columbia River, the nav- 
igation of the said branch shall be free and open to the Hudson's Bay Company, and 
to all British subjects trading with the same, to the point where the said branch 
meets the main stream of the Columbia, and thence down the said main stream to 
the ocean, with free access into and through the said river or rivers, it being under- 
stood that all the usual portages along the line thus described shall, in like manner, be 
free and open. In navigating the said river, or rivers, British subjects, with their 
goods and produce, shall be treated on the same footing as citizens of the United 
States; it being, however, always understood that nothing in this article shall be con- 
strued as preventing, or intending to prevent, the Government of the United States 
from making any regulations respecting the navigation of the said river or rivers not 
inconsistent with the present treaty. 

The above treatj^ extended the line westward from the Rocky Moun- 
tains to the Pacific along- the forty-ninth parallel of latitude. This set- 
tled the northern boundary with the exception of the islands and pas- 
sages in the straits of Georgia and of Juan de Fuca, the English 
claiming that the boundary should properl}^ run through the Rosario 
Strait, the most eastern passage, while the United States claimed that 
it should naturally follow the Strait of Haro. 

This matter was finally settled by a reference to the Emperor of 
Germany as an arbitrator, who decided it in favor of the United States 
on the 21st of October, 1872, thus finallj^ disposing of our boundary 
with Great Britain. 

AUDITIONS TO THE TERRITORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 
LOUISIANA PURCHASE. 

The entire basin of the Mississippi-, with much of the coast region of 
the Gulf of Mexico, which was subsequently known as the territory of 
Louisiana, was originall}^ claimed by France by virtue of discovery and, 
occupation. 

In 1712 France made a g^rant to Antoine de Crozat of the exclusive 
right to the trade of this region. As this grant makes the first, and, 
indeed, the only statement of the limits of this vast region, as they were 
understood by France, a portion of it is here introduced. 

We have by these presents signed with our hand, authorized, and do authorize 
the said Sieur Crozat to carry on exclusively the trade in all the territories by us 



w 



20 BOUNDARrP:S (tF THE UNITED STATES. [HrM.-r, 

possessed, ami hounded by New Mexico and 1)y thone of the Englisli in Carolina, al' 
the estaViiinhnients, ports, harbors, rivers, and especially the port and harl)or ol 
Dauphin Island, fornierlj' called Massacre Island, the river St. Louis, formerly called 
the Mississipi)i, from the seashore to the Illinois, together with the river St. Philip, 
formerly called the Missouries River, and the St. Jerome, formerly called the "Wabash 
(the Ohio), with all the countries, territories, lakes in the land, and the rivers empty- 
ing directly or indirectly into that part of the river St. Louis. All the said territo- 
ries, countries, rivers, streams, and islands we will to be and remain comprised under 
the name of the government of Louisiana, which, shall V>e dependent on the General 
Government of New France and remain sul)ordinate to it, and we will, moreover, 
that all the territories which we possess on this side of the Illinois be united, as far 
as need be, to the General Government of New France and form a i)art thereof, 
reserving to ourself, nevertheless, to increase, if we judge proper, the extent of the 
government of the said country of Louisiana. 

From this it appears that Louisiana was regarded b}' France as com- 
prising the drainage basin of the Mississippi at least as far north as 
the mouth of the Illinois, with those of all its branches which enter it 
below this point, including the Missouri, but excluding that portion 
in the southwest claimed ))y Spain, It is, moreover, certain that the 
area now comprised in \Yashington, ' Oregon, and Idaho was not 
included. 

Crozat surrendered this grant in 1717. 
' On November 3, 1762, France ceded this region to Spain, defining 
it only as the province of Louisiana. A few months later, on February 
10, 1763, by the treat}^ of peace between Great Britain, France, and 
Spain, the western boundary of the former's possessions in the New 
World was placed in the center of the Mississippi River, thus reducing 
the area of Louisiana by the portion east of the Mississippi Kiver. 
Thus by these two treaties France disposed of her possessions in North 
America, dividing them between Great Britain and Spain. The limit 
set between their possessions was given as the Mississippi, the river 
Iberville, and lakes Maurepas and Pontchartrain. 

Great Britain then proceeded to subdivide her share of this terri- 
tory. The area south of a meridian through the mouth of Yazoo 
Kiver and west of Apalachicola River she called West Florida; the 
region east thereof and south of the present north ])oundar3' of Florida 
received the name of East Florida. For the following twenty years, 
i. e., up to 1783, these boundaries and names remained undisturbed. 
In the latter year, by the treaty of peace with the United States at the 
close of the Revolution, Great Britain reduced the area of West 
Florida by the cession of that portion north of the thirty-first parallel 
to the United States. In the same ^ear she gave East Florida and 
what remained of West Florida to Spain, and in Spain's possession 
they remained until ceded to the United States in 1819. 

Meantime, in 1800, by the secret treaty of San Ildefonso, Spain 
promised to return Louisiana to France. In the language of the 
treaty, she pledged herself to return to France the "Province of 
Louisiana, with the same extent it now has in the hands of Spain, and 



^1 



»&• 93" »!' 




ACCESS 






wo 


„ 


KX 










95- 




93' 











BULLETIN NO. 226 PL. XIV 




U S GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 




GANNKTT] LOUISIANA PUKCHASE. 21 

that it had when Spain possessed it, and such as it should l)e after the 
treaties subsequently entered into between Spain and other States." 

Immediate!}^ after this transfer became known, on November 30, 
1802, measures were set on foot b}^ President Jefferson for securing 
in some wa}" free access to the sea by wa}' of the Mississippi River. 
Circumstances favored this negotiation. Bonaparte wag at that time 
in ahnost daily expectation of a declaration of war by Great Britain, 
in which case the first act of the latter would be to seize the mouth of 
the Mississippi, and with it the province of Louisiana. Under these 
circumstances Bonaparte offered to sell the province to the United 
States, and the offer was promptly accepted. The consideration was 
60,000,000 francs and the assumption by the United States of the 
"French spoliation claims," which were estimated to amount to 
$3,750,000. 

The treat}^ of cession, which bears date April 30, 1803, describes 
the territory only as being the same as ceded b}^ Spain to France b}^ 
the treat}^ of San Ildefonso. 

From this it appears that the territor}" sold to the United States 
comprised that part of the drainage basin of the Mississippi which lies 
west of the course of the river, with the exception of such parts as 
were then held b}^ Spain. The want of precise definition of limits in 
the treaty was not objected to b}^ the American commissioners, as they 
probabh' foresaw that this very indefiniteness might prove of service 
to the United States in future negotiations with other powers. In 
fact, the claim of the United States to the area now comprised in Ore- 
gon, Washington, and Idaho in the -negotiations with Great Britain 
regarding the northwestern boundary was ostensibly based not only 
upon prior occupation and upon purchase from Spain, but also upon 
the alleged fact that this area formed part of the Louisiana purchase. 
That this claim was baseless is shown not only by what has been 
alread}' detailed regarding the limits of the purchase, but also b}' the 
direct testimony of the French plenipotentiar}", M. Barbe Marbois. 
Some twenty j-eai-s after the purchase he published a work upon 
Louisiana, in which he detailed at some length the negotiations which 
preceded the purchase, and, referring to this question, said: "The 
shores of the western ocean were certainh' not comprised in the ces- 
sion, but already the United States are established there." 

There is also contained in this work a map of the country between 
the Mississippi and the Pacific, on which the extent of Louisiana to 
the westward is indicated by a line drawn on the one hundred and tenth 
meridian, which is not far from the western limit of the drainage basin 
of the Mississippi in Wyoming and Montana. That part of the coun- 
try now comprised in Oregon, Washington, and Idaho, which, it has 
been claimed, formed part of the purchase, bears the following legend: 
"Territories and countries occupied b}" the United States, following 
the treatv of cession of Louisiana." 



22 BOUNDARIES OF THE UNITED STATES. [bui.i,.22G. 

From this it appears that the northwestern limits of the Louisiana 
purchase can no longer be a matter of discussion; but although the 
United States certainl}' did not purchase Oregon as a part of Louisi- 
ana, it is no less certain that that great area west of the Rocky Moun- 
tains fell into their hands as a direct consequence of such purchase. 

FLORIDA PURCHASE. 

The second addition to the territory of the United States consisted 
of the Floridas, purchased from Spain on February 22, 1819. From 
the date of the Louisiana purchase, in 1803, the territory l>ounded by 
the Mississippi Riyer on the west, the Perdidoonthe east, the parallel 
of 31 - on the north, and the Gulf on the south had been in dispute 
))etween the two countries. During a part of this time it had been 
practically in the possession of the United States. 

The clause quoted aboye from the treaty of San Ildefonso was inter- 
preted 1)}^ Jefferson and others in this country to mean the inclusion of 
West Florida. Their reasoning was this: In 1800 Spain owned West 
Florida; West Florida was once a part of Louisiana; in 1800 Spain 
receded Louisiana to France; she therefore receded West Florida 
with it. 

Spain, howeyer, held that this was merely a treaty of recession, by 
which she gaye back to France what France had giyen to her in 1762. 
Since in 1762 she did not own West Florida, she could not, therefore, 
haye receded it to France, 

As to this matter, Marbois, the French plenipotentiary, was Aery 
positiye in stating that West Florida formed no part of the Louisiana 
purchase, and that the southeastern boundary of the latter was the 
riyer Iberyille and Lakes Maurepas and Pontchartrain. 

Immediately after the Louisiana purchase the claim was made by 
the United States that it included most of West Florida, and also a 
part of the Texas coast, but this was not entertained by Spain. In 
1810 a reyolution was effected in that part of West Florida lying west 
of Pearl Riyer, and application was made for annexation to the United 
States. The goyernor of Louisiana, under instructions from Wash- 
ington, at once took possession, but immediately a counter revolution 
was organized against him, which was put down by force of arms, and 
in 1812 this part of West Florida was annexed to the State of Louisiana. 
Meantime, the insurrection spread eastward in West Florida, and, 
although put down by Spanish authorities, the moyement receiyed the 
sympath}" of the United States, which passed a secret act authorizing 
the President, under certain specified contingencies, to use force in 
taking possession of the Floridas. In 1812 that portion of West Flor- 
ida lying between Perdido and Pearl riyers was annexed to the Terri- 
tory of Mississippi. 

This purchase settled these conflicting claims. 



GANNETT.] FLORIDA PURCHASE TEXAS ACCESSION. 23 

The following- is the clause in the treaty with Spain ceding the Flor- 
idas which defines the cession: 

Art. 2. His Catholic INIajesty cedes to tlie United States, in full property and sov- 
ereignty, all the territories which belong to him, situated to the eastward of the 
Mississippi, known l)y the name of East and West Florida, the adjacent islands 
dependent upon said province, etc. 

A further article in this treat}' defines the boundary between the 
United States and the Spanish possessions in the Southwest as follows: 

The boundary line between the two countries, west of the Mississippi, shall Ijegin 
on the Gulf of Mexico, at the mouth of the river Sabine, in the sea, continuing 
north, along the western bank of that river, to the thirty-second degree of latitude, 
thence by a line due north to the degree of latitude where it strikes the Rio Roxo of 
Nachitoches, or Red River; then following the course of the Rio Roxo to the degree 
of longitude 100 west from London, or about 23° west of Washington; then crossing 
the said Rio Roxo and running thence, by a line due north, to the river Arkansas; 
thence, following the course of the southern bank of the Arkansas, to its source in 
latitude 42 north; and thence by that parallel of latitude to the South Sea, the 
whole being as laid down in Melish's map of the United States, published at Phila- 
delphia, improved to the 1st of January, 1818. But if the source of the Arkansas 
River shall be found to fall north or south of latitude 42, then the line shall run from 
the said source due south or north, as the case may be, till it meets the said parallel 
of latitude 42, and thence along the said parallel to the South Sea, all the islands in 
the Sabine and the said Red and Arkansas rivers, throughout the course thus 
described, to belong to the United States; but the use of the waters, and the naviga- 
tion of the Sabine to the sea, and of the said rivers Roxo and Arkansas throughout 
the extent of the said boundary on their respective banks shall be common to the 
respective inhabitants of both nations. 

TEXAS ACCESSION. 

The next acquisition of territory was that of the Republic of Texas, 
which was admitted as a State on December 29, 1845. The area which 
Texas broug-ht into the Union was limited as follows, as defined b}^ the 
Republic of Texas, December 19, 1836: 

Beginning at the mouth of the Sabine River and running west along the Gulf of 
Mexico three leagues from land to the mouth of the Rio Grande, thence up the prin- 
cipal stream of that river to its source, thence due north to the forty-second degree 
of north latitude, thence along the boundary line as defined in the treaty between 
Spain and the United States to the beginning. 

FIRST MEXICAN CESSION. 

In 1818 a further addition was made to our territory b}^ the treaty 
of Guadalupe-Hidalgo. This added to the country the area of Cali- 
fornia, Nevada, Utah, and parts of Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico, 
while the Gadsden purchase, which was effected in 1853, added the 
remainder of Arizona and another part of New Mexico. 

The treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo was concluded Februaiy 2, 1818, 
and proclaimed July 1, 1848. The clauses in it defining our acquisi- 
tion of territory are as follows: 

Article V. The boundary line between the two Republics shall commence in the 
Gulf of Mexico, three leagues from land, opposite the mouth of the Rio Grande, 
Bull. 226—04 4 



24 BOUND AKIEB < >F THE UNITED STATES. [HrT.i..22i 






othi'r\vis((allt'(l tlir Kio Biavoik-I Norte, or opposite the moutli of its deepest branc' 
if it slioiiltl liave more tluui one Ijraiu-li emptying into tlie sea; from thence up the' 
middle of that river, following the deepest cliannel wlicre it has more than one, to the 
])oint where it strikes the southern l)oundary of New Mexico; thence westwardly 
along the whole southern houndary of New Mexico (which runs north of the town 
called Paso) to its western termination; thence northward along the western line of 
New Mexico until it intersects the first branch of the river Gila (or if it should not 
intersect any branch of that river, then to the point on the said line nearest to such 
branch, and thence in a direct line to the same); thence down the middle of the said 
branch and of tlie said river until it empties into the Rio Colorado; thence across the 
Rio Colorado, following the division line between n^ijx'r and Lower C!a1iforiiia, to 
the Pacifii; Ocean. 

The southern and western limitsof New Mexico, mentioned in this article, are tlujse 
laid down in the map entitled "Map of the ITnited Mexican States as organize«l and 
defined by various acts of the Congress of said Republic, and constructed according 
to the best authorities. Revised edition. Published at New York in 1847, by J. Dis- 
turnell;" of which map a copy is added to this treaty, bearing the signatures and 
seals of the undersigned plenipotentiaries. And in order to preclude all difficulty in 
tracing upon the ground the limit separating Upper from Lower California, it is 
agreed that the said limit shall consist of a straight line drawn from the middle of 
the Rio Gila, where it unites with the Colorado, to a point on the coast of the Pacific 
Ocean, distant one marine league due south of the southernmost point of the port of 
San Diego, according to the plan of said port made in the year 1782 by Don Juan 
Pautoja, second sailing master of the Spanish fleet, and published at Madrid in the 
year 1802, in the atlas to the voyage of the schooners Sutil and Mexicana; of which 
plan a copy is hereunto added, signed, and sealed by the respective plenipotentiaries. 

Much difficult}^ followed in the interpretation of this treaty. A 
joint commission of the two Governments was formed, consisting- of a 
commissioner and a chief surveyor from each. The}" were instructed 
that any decision upon the interpretation of the treaty must be agreed 
to unanimously. The most important question coming before the 
commission for decision concerned the location and extent of the south 
boundary of New Mexico. Here, unfortunately, the Disturnell map 
left room for broad difference in opinion. The town called Paso is 
incorrectly located upon the map to the extent of nearly half a degree 
of latitude, or, in other words, the parallels of latitude are misplaced 
to this extent, so that if the position of the south boundary of New 
Mexico be accepted with reference to the nearest parallel of latitude, 
it is half a degree farther north than it would be if its position were 
measured from the town of Paso. 

In the absence of the chief surveyor the other three members of the 
conmiission, including Mr. J. R. Bartlett, United States commissioner, 
agreed to accept the position of the south boundary of New Mexico as 
shown by the projection lines of the map; to run a line in this latitude 
8 degrees west from the Rio Grande, and from the end of this line to 
run north until a branch of Gila River was intersected. In accord- 
ance with this decision a durable monument was erected on the bank 
of the Rio Grande, in latitude 32^ 22', and the line was run a degree 
and a half to the westward. At this time the chief surveyor arrived, 



GANNETT] GADSDEN PURCHASE. 25 

learned what had been done, and made a vigorous protest against this 
interpretation of the map. This protest, backed by Major Emory, 
the chief astronomer, caused a sudden stoppage of the work of run- 
ning the line and the repudiation of the agreement by the United 
States Government. Negotiations followed, but no agreement was 
reached until in 1853 the whole matter was taken out of court by the 
Gadsden purchase. 

(JADSDE> PUBCHASK. 

Subsequently, on December 30, 1853, a second purchase was made 
of Mexico, consisting of the strip of land lying south of the Gila River 
in New Mexico and Arizona. The boundaries as established by this, 
known as the Gadsden purchase, were as follows: 

Article I. The Mexican Republic agrees to designate the following as her true 
limits with the United States for the future: Retaining the same dividing line between 
the two Californias as already defined and established according to the fifth article 
of the treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo, the limits between the two Republics shall be 
as follows: Beginning in the Gulf of Mexico, three leagues from land, opposite the 
mouth of the Rio Grande, as provided in the fifth article of the treaty of Guadalupe- 
Hidalgo; thence, as defined in the said article, up the middle of that river to the 
point where the parallel of 31° 47^ north latitude crosses the same; thence due west 
one hundred miles; thence south to the parallel of 31° 20^ north latitude; thence 
along the said parallel of 31° 20' to the one hundred and eleventh meridian of longi- 
tude west of Greenwich; thence in a straight line to a point on the Colorado River 
twenty English miles below the junction of the Gila and Colorado rivers; thence up 
the middle of the said river Colorado mitil it intersects the present line between the 
United States and Mexico. 

In the year following a commission was appointed for surveying and 
marking this line, under the United States commissioner, Maj. W. H. 
Emory. The line was run and marked in the year 1855, and the report 
was transmitted in the following year. 

As settlement increased in the territory which this line traverses, the 
fact was developed that the line was insufficiently marked. Some of 
the monuments had disappeared, and in many places there were great 
extents of country in which no monuments had ever been placed, so 
that the necessity became apparent for rerunning and marking of the 
line. For this purpose a commission was created in 1891, the United 
States members of which were Col. J. W. Barlow and Capt. D. D. 
Gaillard, Corps of Engineers, U. S. A., and Mr. A. T. Mosraan, of the 
United States Coast and Geodetic Survey. Under this commission the 
line was recovered from the original monuments as far as possible, and 
between these monuments was rerun and fully and durably marked. 
The report, with maps, profiles, and illustrations of the monuments, 
was published in 1899. 

ALASKA PCBCHASE. 

Alaska was purchased from Russia, the treat}^ of purchase having 
been signed on March 30, 1867, and proclaimed June 20, 1807. The 



I 



26 BOUNDARIES OF THE UNITED STATES. [m i,i..2i;r,. 

boundaries of the territory are described in the accoinpaiiyiii^- (jiiota- 
tion from the treaty: 

Coiniueiicinf^ from the southernmost point of the island called I'rince of Wales 
Island, which point lies in the jiarallel of 54° 40^' north latitude, and between the 
one hundred and thirty-first and one hundred and thirty-third degree of west longi- 
tude (meridian of Greenwich), the said line shall ascend to the north along the 
channel called Portland Channel as far as the point of the continent where it strikes 
the fifty-sixth degree of north latitude; from this last-mentioned i)oint the line of 
demarcation shall follow the summit of the mountains situated parallel to the coast 
as far as the point of intersection of the one hundred and forty-first degree of west 
longitude (of the same meridian); and, finally, from the said point of intersection 
the said meridian line of the one hundred and forty-first degree in its prolongation 
as far as the Frozen Ocean. 

IV. AVith reference to the line of demaniation laid down in the jireceding article 
it is understood — 

1st. That the island called Prince of Wales Island shall lielong wholly to Russia 
(now, l)y this cession, to the United States). 

2d. That whenever the summit of the mountains which extend in a direction jiar- 
allel to the coast from the fifty-sixth degree of north latitude to the point of inter- 
section of the one hundred and forty-first degree of west longitude shall prove to be 
at the distance of more than ten marine leagues from the ocean, the limit between 
the British Possessions and the line of coast which is to belong to Russia, as above 
mentioned (that is to say, the limit to the possessions ceded by this convention), 
shall be formed by a line parallel to the winding of the coast, and which shall never 
exceed the distance of ten marine leagues therefrom. 

The western limit within which the territories and dominion conveyed are con- 
tained passes through a point in Behring's Straits on the parallel of 65° '^0^ north 
latitude at its intersection by the meridian which passes midway between the 
islands of Krusenstern or Ignalook and the island of Ratmanoff or Noonerbook, 
and proceeds due north without limitation into the same Frozen Ocean. 

The same western limit, beginning at the same initial point, proceeds thence in 
a course nearly southwest through Behring's Straits and Behring's Sea, so as to pass 
midway between the northwest point of the island of Saint Lawrence and the south- 
east point of Cape Choukotski to the meridian of one hundred and seventy-two west 
longitude; thence from the intersection of that meridian in a southwesterly direc- 
tion, so as to pass midway between the island of Attore and the Copper Island of 
the Kormandorski couplet or group, in the North Pacific Ocean, to the meridian of 
one hundred and ninety-three degrees west longitude, so as to include in the terri- 
tory conveyed the whole of the Aleutian Islands west of that meridian. 

The consideration paid for Alaska was $7,200,000 in gold. 

There is no possibility of a misinterpretation of the language of the 
above treaty concerning the portion of the boundary running along the 
one hundred and forty-tirst meridian from the shores of the Arctic 
Ocean to the neighborhood of the coast near Mount St. Elias, and in 
recent years points upon this boundary", notably at the crossing of the 
Yukon, have been established by the United States and Canadian sur- 
veyors by astronomic means and marked. 

Concerning the remaining portion of the boundar^^, however, from 
the neighborhood of Mount St. Elias southeastward to the mouth of 
Portland Canal, question has been raised in recent years by Canadian 
authorities, 



•f oi r^ngianu, ."^ir 1.0ms A. JGTte, ana A. ». AYleswortb, of 



I 



autuuiJ-Vicaj' 



GANNETT.] ALASKA PURCHASE. 27 

It has \oug boon known that the coast of this part of Alaska is 
extremt'l}' broken, containing- many fiords extending fur inland, and 
that no continuous range of mountains parallels the coast. It was for 
many 3'ears tacitly admitted by both sides that the second alternative 
of the treaty, that the boundary should follow a line 10 marine leagues 
distant from the coast and following its windings, should be the one 
finally adopted when the question of marking the Ijoundary arose. 
This position was taken by the United States and consistently followed 
from the time of the acquisition of the territor}^ to the present. All 
maps, United States and Canadian, agreed on it. INIan}^ acts of sov- 
ereignt}^ were performed by the United States within this territor}-, no 
question being raised by the Canadian authorities, and the claim of the 
United States to a strip of territory 10 marine leagues in width from 
the main coast was universally admitted by the Canadian authorities. 
The discovery of gold in the basin of the Yukon, in Canada, and the 
fact that the only feasible means of access to this region lay through 
United States territory, made it extremel}'^ desirable for Canada to 
possess a port or ports on this coast as the starting points of routes 
to tfie Yukon mines, and it was only when this necessity appeared that 
any question arose concerning the interpretation of the definition of 
limits in the treaty. 

The claim made by the British Government, before a joint commis- 
sion on the boundary, on behalf of Canada, in August, 1898, was that 
this portion of the boundary', instead of passing up Portland Canal, 
should pass up Pearse Canal, connecting with Portland Canal, up which 
it follows to the summit of the mountains nearest to the coast, and then 
should follow them, regardless of the fact that the}^ do not form a con- 
tinuous range, crossing all the inlets of the sea up to Mount St. Elias. 
This, of course, was refused by the United States commissioners. A 
proposition made by the British commissioners to refer the matter to 
arbitration was also refused by the United States commissioners, on 
the ground that there w^as nothing to arbitrate, since the territory in 
question was in the possession of the United States, and had been for 
many j^ears without dispute, such possession being in full accord with 
the terms of the treaty. The commission was then dissolved, the only 
outcome being an agreement that the summits of White and Chilkoot 
passes and a point upon the Cliilkat, above Pyramid Harbor, were 
temporarily adopted as points upon the boundary. 

The treaty of January 24, 1903, created an Alaskan Boundary Tri- 
bunal, to consist of "six impartial jurists of repute," three to be 
selected bj- each of the two parties to the controversy, to attempt a 
settlement of this boundary question. The United States was repre- 
sented by Messrs. Elihu Root, Henry Cabot Lodge, and George Turner. 
The Canadian side was represented by Baron Alverstone, lord chief 
justice of England, Sir Louis A. Jette, and A. B. Aylesworth, of 



28 BOUNDARIES OF THE UNITED STATES. [bum,. 22G. 

Canada. After arguuicMt and discussion the majority of the trilmnal, 
consisting of Baron Alv^erstonc and the tiiree Americans, agreed on a 
boundary which satisfied the American claims. The l)oundary thus 
adopted may be defined as follows: Its commencement is at Cape 
Mnzon. Then it crosses in a straight line to the mouth of Portland 
Channel, this entrance being to the west of Wales Island, and thence 
passes up the channel to the north of Wales and Pearse islands, to the 
fifty-sixth parallel of latitude. Thence the line runs from one mountain 
summit to another, as shown on the accompanying map (PI. XV), 
passing al)ove the heads of all fiords. At the head of Lynn Canal it 
traverses White and Chilkoot passes. Then by a crooked southwesterly 
course it reaches Mount Fairweather, and thence follows the higher 
mountains ai'ouiid Yakutat Bay to Moulit St. Elias. It can be clearly 
described only by a map. 

HAWAIIAN ISIiANDS. 
i 

The Republic of Hawaii, comprising' eight inhabited and seven unin- 
habited islands in the Pacific, voluntarilv Joined the United States in 

1898. 

PORTO RICO, GUAM, AND PHILIPPINE ISLANDS. 

The next accessions of territory made by the United States were the 
islands taken from Spain following the war of 1898. These were relin- 
quished to the United States by the treaty of peace of December 10, 
1898. They were as follows: 

Porto Rico and other Spanish West India islands which were ceded 
to the United States. 

The island of Guam, in the Ladrones. 

The Philippine Islands, which comprise all the islands lying within 
the following line, as defined in the words of the treaty: 

A line running from west to east along or near the twentieth parallel of north 
latitude, and through the middle of the navigable channel of Bachi, from the one 
hundred and eighteenth (118th) to the one hundred and twenty-seventh (127th) 
degree meridian of longitude east of Greenwich; thence along the one hundred and 
twenty-seventh (127th) degree meridian of longitude east of Greenwich to the par- 
allel of four degrees and forty-five minutes (4° 45^) north latitude; thence along the 
parallel of four degrees and forty-live minutes (4° 45') north latitude to its intersec- 
tion with the meridian of longitude one hundred and nineteen degrees and thirty- 
five minutes (119° 35') east of Greenwich; thence along the meridian of longitude 
one hundred and nineteen degrees and thirty-five minutes (119° 35') east of Green- 
wich to the parallel of latitude seven degrees and forty minutes (7° 40') north; 
thence along the paralled of latitude seven degrees and forty minutes (7° 40') north 
to its intersection with the one hundred and sixteenth (116th) degree meridian of 
longitude east of Greenwich ; thence by a direct line to the intersection of the tenth 
(10th) degree parallel of north latitude with the one hundred and eighteenth (118th) 
degree meridian of longitude east of Greenwich; and thence along the one hundred 
and eighteenth (118th) degree meridian of longitude east of Greenwich to the point 
of beginning. 



( 



GANNETT.] PHILIPPINE ISLANDS AND TUTUILA. 29 

For the Philippines the sum of $20,000,000 was paid by the United 
States to Spain. 

Subsequently the United States purchased of Spain, for the sum of 
$100,000, a small group of islands lying- north of Borneo, known as 
Cagayan Jolo, which, though a part of the Philippine Archipelago, 
was omitted by mistake in drawing the limits of the Philippines in the 
treaty. 

TUTIILA. 

For several years the United States, Great Britain, and Germany 
exercised a joint protectorate over the Samoas. For various reasons 
it was deemed best to bring this situation to an end. England with- 
drew and the islands were divided between German}^ and the United 
States, the latter country taking Tutuila and the other small islands of 
that group lying east of longitude 171° west of Greenwich and the 
German flag l)eing hoisted over the remaining islands of the group. 
This adjustment was reached February 16, 1900. 



CHAPTER II. 

THE pubijIC domain and an oiiti^ine of the his- 
tory OF CHANGES MADE THEREIN. 

CESSIONS BY THE STATES. 

At the time the Constitution was adopted by the original thirteen 
States, man}^ of them possessed unoccupied territor}', in some cases 
entirel}^ detaclied and lying west of the Appalachian Mountains. Thus, 
Georgia included the territory from its present eastern limits westward 
to the Mississippi River. North Carolina possessed a narrow strip 
extending from latitude 35° to 36° 30', approximately, and running 
westward to the Mississippi, including besides its own present area that 
of the present State of Tennessee. In like manner, Virginia possessed 
what is now Kentucky, while a number of States, as Penns3'lYania, New 
York, Massachusetts, and Connecticut, laid claim to areas in what was 
afterwards known as the Territory Northwest of the River Ohio, a region 
which is now comprised mainly in the States of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, 
Michigan, and Wisconsin. These claims wereto a greater or less extent 
conflicting. In some cases several States claimed authorit}^ over the 
same area, while the boundary lines were in most cases ver}^ ill-defined. 

The ownership of these western lands by individual States was 
opposed by those States which did not share in their possession, mainly 
on the ground that the resources of the General Government, to which 
all contributed, should not be taxed for the protection and development 
of this region, while its advantages would inure to the benefit of but a 
favored few. On this ground several of the States refused to ratify 
the Constitution until this matter had been settled by the cession of 
these tracts to the General Government. 

Moved by these arguments, as well as by the consideration of the 
conflicting character of the claims, which must inevitably lead to 
trouble among the States, Congress passed, on October 30, 1779, the 
following act: 

Whereas the appropriation of the vacant lands by the several States during the 
present war will, in the opinion of Congress, be attended with great mischiefs: 
Therefore, 

Besolved, That it be earnestly recommended to the State of Virginia to reconsider 
their late act of assembly for opening their land office; and that it be recommended 
to the said State, and all other States similarly circumstanced, to forbear settling or 
issuing warrants for unappropriated lands, or granting the same during the contin- 
uance of the present war. 
30 



GANNETT.] CESSIONS BY THE STATES. 31 

This resolution Avas transmitted to the ditferent States. The first to 
respond to it l^y tlie transfer of her territory to the General Government 
was New York, whose example was followed by the other States. 

The cessions were made on the dates given below: 

New York, March 1, 1781. 

Virginia, March 1, 1784. 

Massachusetts, April 19, 1785. 

Connecticut, September 13, 1786. 

The Connecticut act of cession reserved an area in the northeastern 
part of Ohio, known as the Western Reserve. On May 30, ISoO, Con- 
necticut gave to the United States jurisdiction over this area, but with- 
out giving up its propert}^ rights in it. 

South Carolina, August 9, 1787. 

North Carolina, February 25, 1790. 

Georgia, April 24, 1802. 

The following paragraph from the deed of cession b}- New York 
defines the limits of its cession to the General Government: 

Now, therefore, know ye, that we, the said James Duane, WiUiam Floid, and Alex- 
ander M'Dougall, by virtue of the power and authority, and in the execution of the 
trust reposed in us, as aforesaid, liave judged it expedient to limit and restrict, and 
we do, by these presents, for and in behalf of the said State of New York, limit and 
restrict the boundaries of the said State in the western parts thereof, with respect to 
the jurisdiction, as well as the right or pre-emption of soil, by the lines and in the 
form following, that is to say: Aline from the northeast corner of the State of Penn- 
sylvania, along the north bounds thereof to its northwest corner, continued due west 
until it shall be intersected by a meridian line to be drawn from the forty-fifth degree 
of north latitude, through the most westerly bent or inclination of Lake Ontario; 
thence by the said meridian line to the forty-fifth degree of north latitude; and 
thence by the said forty-fifth degree of north latitude; but, if on experiment, the 
above-described meridian line shall not comprehend twenty miles due west from the 
most westerly bent or inclination of the river or strait of Niagara, then Ave do, by 
these presents, in the name of the people, and for and on behalf of the Statq of New 
York, and by virtue of the authority aforesaid, limit and restrict the boundaries of 
the said State in the western parts thereof, with respect to jurisdiction, as well as the 
right of pre-emption of soil, by the lines and in the manner following, that is to say: 
A line from the northeast corner of the State of Pennsylvania, along the north bounds 
thereof, to its northwest corner continued due west until it shall be intersected by a 
meridian line, to be drawn from the forty-fifth degree of north latitude, through a 
point twenty miles due west from the most westerly bent or inclination of the river 
or strait Niagara; thence by the said meridian line to the forty-fifth degree of north 
latitude, and thence by the said forty-fifth degree of north latitude. 

The deed of cession b}^ Virginia gives no limits, further than to specify 
that the lands transferred include only those lying northwest of the 
river Ohio. 

The following paragraph from the deed of cession b)^ Massachusetts 
gives the limits of the area ceded: 

* * * We do by these presents assign, transfer, quitclaim, cede, and convey to 
the Ignited States of America, for their l)enefit, Massachusetts inclusive, all right, 



32 BOUNDARIES OF THE UNITED STATES. [BrLi..226. 

title, and ewtute of and in, im well the Knil as the jurisdiction, which tlie saitl Com- 
monwealth hath to the territory or tract of country within the limits of Massachu- 
setts charter situate and lying west of tlie following line, that is to say, a meridian 
line to be drawn from the forty-tifth degree of north latitude through the westerly 
bent or inclination of Lake Ontario, thence by the said meridian line to the most 
southerly side line of the territory contained in the Massachusetts charter; but if 
on experiment the above-described meridian line shall not comprehend twenty miles 
due w'est from the most westerly bent or inclination of the river or strait of Niagara, 
then we do by these presents, by virtue of the power and authority aforesaid, in the 
name and on behalf of the said Commonwealth of ^Massachusetts, transfer, quitclaim, 
cede, and convey to the United States of America, for their benefit, Massachusetts 
inclusive, all right, title, and estate of and in as well the soil as the jurisdiction, 
which the said Commonwealth hath to the territory or tract of country within the 
limits of the Massachusetts charter, situate and lying west of the following line, that 
is to say, a meridian line to be drawn from the forty-fifth degree of north latitude 
through a point twenty miles due west from the most westerly bent or inclination of 
the river or strait of Niagara; thence by the said meridian line to the most south- 
erly side line of the territory contained in the Massachusetts charter aforesaid. 

The following- clause from the act of the legislature of Connecticut, 
authorizing the cession, defines its limits: 

Be it enacted * * * That the delegates of this State, or any two of them, who 
shall be attending the Congress of the United States, be, and they are hereby, directed, 
authorized, and fully empowered, in the name and behalf of this State, to make, 
execute, and deliver, under their hands and seals, an ample deed of release and cession 
of all the right, title, interest, jurisdiction, and claim of the State of Connecticut to 
certain western lands, beginning at the completion of the forty-first degree of north 
latitude, one hundred and twenty miles west of the western boundary line of the 
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, as now claimed by said Commonwealth, and from 
thence by a line drawn north, parallel to and one hundred and twenty miles west of 
the said west line of Pennsylvania, and to continue north until it comes to forty-two 
degrees and two minutes north latitude. Whereby all the right, title, interest, juris- 
diction, and claim of the State of Connecticut to the lands lying west of said line to 
be drawn as aforementioned, one hundred and twenty miles west of the w^estern bound- 
ary line of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, as now claimed by said Common- 
wealth, shall be included, released, and ceded to the United States in Congress 
assembled, for the common use and benefit of the said States, Connecticut inclusive. 

The cession of South Carolina was described as follows: 

* * * All the territory or tract of country included within the river Mississippi 
and a line beginningat that part of the said river which is intersected by the southern 
boundary line of the State of North Carolina, and continuing along the said boundary 
line until it intersects the ridge or chain of mountains which divides the eastern from 
the western waters, then to be continued along the top of said ridge of mountains 
until it intersects a line to be drawn due west from the head of the southern branch 
of Tugaloo River to the said mountains ; from thence to run a due west course to the 
river Mississippi. 

The State of North Carolina ceded — 

The lands situated within the chartered limits of the State, west of a line beginning 
on the extreme height of Stone Mountain, at the place where the Virginia line inter- 
sects it; running thence along the extreme height of the said mountain to the place 
where the Watauga River breaks through it; thence a direct course to the top of the Yel- 
low Mountain where Bright's road crosses the same; thence along the ridge of the said 



GANNETT.] NOETHWEST TERRITORY. 33 

mountain, between the waters of Doe River and the waters of Rock Creek, to the place 
where the road crosses the Iron Mountain; from thence along the extreme height of 
the said mountain to where Nolechucky River runs through the same; thence to the 
top of the Bald Mountain; thence along the extreme height of the said mountain to 
the Painted Rock, on French Broad River; thence along the highest ridge of the said 
mountain to the place where it is called the Great Iron or Smoky Mountain; thence 
along the extreme height of the said mountain to the place where it is called the 
Unicoy or XJnaka Mountain, between the Indian towns of Cowee and Old Chota; 
thence along the main ridge of the said mountain to the southern boundary (A this 
State. 

It will be noted that the above description of the eastern boundary 
of her ceded possessions agrees in general terms with the description 
of the western boundary of North Carolina, as given on page 102. 

The articles of cession by Georgia describe the area ceded as follows: 

The lands situated within the boundaries of the United States, south of the State 
of Tennessee and west of a line beginning on the west bank of the Chattahouchee 
River, where the same crosses the boundry line between the United States and Spain; 
thence running up the said river Chattahouchee and along the western bank thereof 
to the great bend thereof, next above the place where a certain creek or river, called 
Uchee (being the first considerable stream on the western side, above the Cussetas 
and Coweta towns), empties into the said Chattahouchee River; thence in a direct 
line to Nickajack, on the Tennessee River; thence crossing the last-mentioned river, 
and thence running up the said Tennessee River and along the western bank thereof 
to the southern boundary line of the State of Tennessee. 

Gf the area thus ceded to the General Government the part l3nng 
north of the Ohio was afterwards erected into the "Territory North- 
west of the River Ohio," and the balance, h'ing south of that river, was 
known as the "Territory South of the River Ohio." 

TERRITORY NORTHWEST OF THE RIVER OHIO. 

This territory was bounded on the west by the Mississippi and the 
international boundary, on the north by the boundaiy line between the 
United States and the British possessions, on the east by the Pennsyl- 
vania and New York State lines, and on the south b}^ Ohio River. It 
comprised an area of, approximately, 266,000 square miles. It was 
made up of claims of different States, as follows: 

1. Virginia uncontested claims, which consisted of all the territory 
west of Pennsylvania and north of the Ohio to the forty-first parallel 
of north latitude, besides her claim, by capture, as far as the northern 
limits of the land under the Crown which had been subject to the juris- 
diction of the provinces of Quebec and to Lakes Michigan and Huron. 

2. The claim of Connecticut, which extended from the forty -first 
parallel northward to the parallel of 42° 2', and from the west line of 
Penns3dvania to the Mississippi River. 

3. The claim of Massachusetts, which extended from the north line 
of the Connecticut claim above noted to 43° 43' 12" north latitude, and 
from the eastern boundary of New York to the Mississippi. 



34 BOUNDARIES OF THE UNITED STATES. [bull.226. 

4. The belt or zone lyino- north of the Massachusetts claim, extend- 
ing thence to the Canada line and west to the Mississippi River, was 
claimed to have been obtained In' the treat}'^ of peace of Great Britain, 
September 3, 1783. 

5. At th(>. cession b}^ the State of Virginia, both Massachusetts and 
New Yolk claimed the Erie purchase of about 316 square miles, which 
was subsequent!}^ bought by Pennsylvania and added to that State. 

From this territory were formed the following States: Ohio, Indiana, 
Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, that part of Minnesota east of the Missis- 
sippi River, and the northwest corner of Penns3dvania. 

In 1787 a bill for its provisional division into not less than three nor 
more than five States was passed by Congress. In this bill the limits 
of the proposed States were defined, corresponding in their north and 
south lines to the boundaries of Ohio, Illinois, and Indiana as at pres- 
ent constituted. The following gives the text of the clause defining 
these boundaries: 

CONFEDERATE CONGRESS — AN ORDINANCE FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF THE TERRITORY 
OF THE UNITED STATES NORTHWEST OP THE RIVER OHIO. 

* * r- * * * * 

Article 5. There shall be formed in the said territory not less than three nor more 
than five States; and the boundaries of the States, as soon as Virginia shall alter her 
act of cession and consent to the same, shall become fixed and established as follows, 
to wit: The western State in said territory shall be bounded by the Mississippi, the 
Ohio, and the Wabash River, a direct line drawn from the "Wabash and Post Vin- 
cents due north to the territorial line between the United States and Canada, and 
by the said territorial line to the Lake of the Woods and Mississippi. The middle 
State shall be bounded by the said direct line, the Wabash from Post Vincents to 
the Ohio, by the Ohio, by a direct line drawn due north from the mouth of the 
(4reat Miami to the said territorial line, and by the said territorial line. The eastern 
State shall be bounded by the last-mentioned direct line, the Ohio, Pennsylvania, 
and the said territorial line: Provided, hoioever, And it is further understood and de- 
clared, that the l)oundaries of these three States shall be subject so far to be altered, 
that, if Congress shall hereafter find it expedient, they shall have authority to form 
one or two States in that part of the said territory which lies north of an east and 
west line drawn through the southerly bend or extreme of Lake Michigan. 

Passed July 13, 1787. 

The provisions of this bill seem, however,, never to have been carried 
out. A provisional government was instituted in 1788. B}^ act of 
May 7, 1800, Congress divided this territory into two Territorial gov- 
erimients, the divisional line being a meridian passing through the 
mouth of the Kentucky River and extending thence northward to the 
Canada border. The eastern portion became the ' ' Terr itor}'- Northwest 
of the River Ohio," and the western portion, Indiana Territor3^ 

On November 29, 1802, the State of Ohio, comprising most of the 
former, was formed and admitted into the Union, w^hile the remnant 
of it was added to Indiana Territor}'. 

In 1805 all that portion of Indiana Territory lying north of a parallel 



I 



GANNETT.] TERRITOKY SOUTH OF OHIO RIVER, 35 

through the most southerly bend of Lake Michigan and east of a 
meridian drawn through the same point became the Territor}^ of Michi- 
gan. The boundar}^ between these Territories was subsequent!}'- very 
much changed, as will appear in the sequel. 

By act of February 3, 1809, Indiana Territory was again divided, and 
the Territory of Illinois was created from the part lying M^cst of the 
Wabash River and a meridian running through the city of Vincennes, 
extending thence to the Canada line. 

In 1816 Indiana, and in 1818 Illinois, were admitted to the Union as 
States, each with its boundaries as constituted at present. By the same 
act the Mississippi River was made the western boundar}^ of the Terri- 
tory of Michigan, thus making it include all the balance of the original 
Northwest Territory after the formation of the three States of Ohio, 
Indiana, and Illinois. 

The act of 1831 added to Michigan Territory the land between the 
Missouri and White Earth rivers on the west and the Mississippi 
River on the east. 

Wisconsin Territory was formed in 1836 from the portion of Michi- 
gan Territory west of the present State of Michigan. On Januar}- 26, 
1837, Michigan was admitted into the Union, with its present bounda- 
ries. In 1838 all that portion of Wisconsin Territory lying west of 
the Mississippi River and a line drawn due north from its source to the 
international boundary (that is, all that part which was originally com- 
prised in the Louisiana purchase) was made the Territory of Iowa, and 
in 1818 Wisconsin was admitted as a State, with its boundaries as at 
present constituted. 

This appears to leave the area which is now the northeastern part of 
Minnesota, lying east of the Mississippi River and a line drawn due 
north from its source, without any government until the formation of 
Minnesota Territory, in 1849. 

TERRITORY SOUTH OF THE RIVER OHIO. 

The "Territoiy South of the River Ohio" was bounded on the north 
by the present northern boundary of Tennessee, on the south by the 
thirty-first parallel of latitude, on the east by the States of Virginia, 
North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia, and on the west by 
Mississippi River. The different cessions from the States which made 
up this region are as follows: 

1. The area ceded by North Carolina, which extended from 36° 30' 
north latitude southward to 35°, and from the western boundary line 
of the present State to the Mississippi River. This is now the State of 
Tennessee. 

2. The area ceded by South Carolina, which formed a narrow belt 
12 or 11 miles in width lying south of the thirty -fifth parallel and 
extending from her western boundary to the Mississippi Ri\'er. It is 



I 



36 BOUNDARIES OF THE UNITED STATES. [bull.22«, 

doubtful whether under the terms of the original charters South Car- 
olina possessed this strip, or whether it was not included in the posses-, 
sions of Georgia. 

3. The area ceded by Georgia, which comprised most of the region 
of the present States of Alabama and Mississippi north of the thirty- 
first parallel. 

Tennessee was admitted as a State in 17!»6. In 1T98 Congress 
organized the Territory of Mississippi, which was originall}^ a small, 
rectangular area, bounded on the west by the Mississippi River, on 
the north by a parallel through the mouth of the Yazoo River; the 
})oundary on the east was the river Chattahoochee, and on the south 
the thirty-first parallel of north latitude. This area was subsequentl}?^ 
enlarged so as to include the whole of what is now Mississippi and 
Alabama, with the exception of a strip along the Gulf coast, which 
was at that time claimed by Spain. In 1817 the Territor}^ was divided, 
and the eastern portion was made into Alabama Territory. Subse- 
quently the two Territories were admitted as States. 

LOUISIANA AND THE TERRITORY ACQUIRED FROM MEXICO. 

The Louisiana purchase was effected in 1803. In 1804 it was divided 
into two parts, tliat portion which now comprises the State of Louisi- 
ana being organized as Orleans Territory, while the balance remained 
as the Louisiana Territory. The State of Louisiana, comprising most 
of the Territoiy of Orleans, was admitted to the Union in 1812, and in 
the same year it was enlarged by the addition of the portion Ij'ing 
between the Mississippi and Pearl rivers, in the southeastern part. 
In the same yeav the name of Louisiana Territory was changed to Mis- 
souri Territor3^ In 1819 Arkansaw Territory was created, and in 
1836 it was admitted as a State. 

In 1820 the State of Missouri was formed from another portion of 
Missouri Territory, and in 1836 the boundaries of this State were 
enlarged to their present limits. In 1834, as was stated above, that 
portion of this Territory lying north of the State of Missouri and 
east of the Missouri and White Earth rivers was attached to the Ter- 
ritory of Michigan. In 1836 this portion was transferred from the 
Territorv of Michigan to the Territory of Wisconsin. In 1838 it was 
transferred to the Territor}^ of Iowa. In 1845 the State of Iowa 
was created, and in 1846 its boundaries were enlarged. In 1849 the 
remainder of the Territor}' was transferred to Minnesota Territory. 
Minnesota was admitted as a State on May 11, 1858, with its present 
boundaries. 

Meantime Texas had been admitted to the Union, and b}' the treaty 
of Guadalupe Hidalgo and the Gadsden purchase we had acquired 
from Mexico all the area west of the northern part of Texas and south 



GANNETT.] SUBDIVISION OF MEXICAN CESSIONS. 37 

of the forty-second parallel. Furthermore, our northern boundary had 
been established on the forty-ninth parallel to the Pacific Ocean. 

Out of this great western region were carved the following Terri- 
tories: 

Oregon Territory, which was formed in 1848, and which extended 
from the parallel of 49 north latitude southward to latitude 42'^, and 
from the Pacific Ocean east to the summit of the Rock}^ Mountains. 

California, which was admitted as a State in 1849, with the same 
limits which it possesses at present. 

Utah Territory, which was formed in 1850, and which extended 
from the forty-second parallel southward to the thirty-seventh, and 
from the California boundary line eastward to the Rocky Mountains. 

New Mexico, which comprised all the country lying south of Utah 
to the boundary line of Texas and Mexico, and from the California 
boundar}^ eastward to the boundary of Texas. 

Nebraska Territory, which was formed from Missouri Territory in 
1854. It comprised the country from the forty-ninth parallel down to 
the fortieth, and from the Missouri and White Earth rivers Avest to 
the summit of the Rock}^ Mountains. 

Kansas Territory, formed by the same act as the last, comprised the 
country lying west of Missouri to the boundary of Ncav Mexico and 
Utah, and from the south boundary of Nebraska to the thirty -seventh 
parallel. 

Indian Territory then had its present limits. 

Washington Territory was formed in 1853 from a part of Oregon, 
its southern boimdary being Columbia River and the parallel of 46° 
north latitude, and its east line being the summit of the Rocky Moun- 
tains. 

Oregon was admitted as a State in 1857, with its boundaries as at 
present established. The portion cut off from Oregon Territory was 
placed under the Territorial government of Washington. 

Dakota Territory was formed in 1861. As originally formed, it 
comprised all that region between its present eastern and southern 
boundaries, while its western boundary was the summit of the Rocky 
Mountains. 

The Territory of Nevada was organized from the western portion of 
the Territory of Utah in 1861. As originally constituted, its eastern 
line was the meridian of 39° of longitude west from Washington, and 
its southern boundary was the parallel of 37° of latitude. It was 
admitted as a State in 1864, its eastern boundary being made the 
thirty-eighth degree of longitude (approximately the one hundred and 
fifteenth degree west from Greenwich), while its southern boundary 
remained the same. In 1866, by act of Congress, the eastern boundary 
was moved one degree farther to the eastward, placing it upon the 



38 BOUNDARIES OF THE UNITED STATES. [bull. 220. 

tliirtv-scvcntli degree of longitude west from Washington, and the 
triangular portion contained between the former southern boundar}^ 
the boundary of California, the Colorado River, and the meridian of 
S7^ of longitude was added, thus giving the State its present area and 
limits. 

Colorado Territory was formed in 1861, with the limits of the present' 
State. It was admitted as a State in 1870. 

The Territory of Arizona was formed from New Mexico in 1863, 
being that portion of New Mexico lying west of the thirty-second 
meridian west of Washington. 

In the same year Idaho was formed from parts of Dakota and 
Washington Territories. As originally constituted it included all the 
territory lying east of the present eastern limits of Oregon and \\'ash- 
ington Territory to the twenty-seventh degree of longitude west of 
Washington, the latter meridian being its eastern boundary. Its 
southern boundary was the northern boundary of Colorado and 
Utah — that is, the forty-first and forty-second parallels of latitude. 

From this Territor}^ was detached, in 1861:, the Territor}^ of Mon- 
tana with its present limits, and in 1868 the Territory of Wyoming, 
these se\^eral changes reducing Idaho to its present dimensions. 



I 



CHAPTEK III. 

THE BOUNDAllY LINES OF THE STATES AND TEKKI- 

TORIES. 

MAINE. 

The first charter havinj^ any relation to the territory comprising- the 
present State of Maine is that granted by Henry IV of France to 
Pierre du Gast, Sieur de Monts, in 1603, known as the charter of 
Acadia, which embraced the whole of North America between the 
fortieth and forty-sixth degree of north latitude. Under this, several 
expeditions were made, and in 1606 it was decided to make a perma- 
nent settlement at Port Royal, now Annapolis, Nova Scotia, and no 
further attempts were made under this charter to plant colonies within 
the limits of the present State of Maine. ( Vide Charters and Consti- 
tutions, p. 771.) 

By the first charter of Virginia {vide Virginia, p. 95), granted bj'^ 
James I, in 1606, the lands along the coast of North America between 
the thirty-fourth and forty-fifth degrees of north latitude were given 
to two companies, to one of which, the Plymouth Company, was 
assigned that part of North America including the coast of New Eng- 
land. The first colon}^ in Maine was planted on the Peninsula of 
Sabine, at the mouth of Kennebec River, now Hunnewell Point, on 
August 19, 1607, O. S., by George Popham. 

James I in 1620 granted a charter to the Pljmiouth Company, in 
which may be found the following, viz: 

Wee, therefore * * * do grant ordain and establish that all that Circuit, Con- 
tinent, Precincts and Limitts in America lying and being in Breadth from Fourty 
Degrees of Northerly Latitude from the Equinoctial Line to Fourty eight Degrees of 
the said Northerly Latitude and in length by all the Breadth aforesaid throughout 
the Maine Land from Sea to Sea — with all the Seas, Rivers, Islands, Creekes, 
Inletts, Ports and Havens within the Degrees, Precincts and Limitts of the said 
Latitude and Longitude shall be the Limitts, and Bounds, and Precincts of the sec- 
ond coUony— and to the end that the said Territoryes may hereafter be more par- 
ticularly and certainly known and distinguished, our Will and Pleasure is, that the 
same shall from henceforth be nominated, termed and called by the name of New 
England in America. 

Under this grant, given in 1621, the Earl of Stirling claimed that 
he was entitled to land on the coast of Maine which was afterwards 
Bull. 226—04 5 ^^ 



40 BOUNDARIES OF THE UNITED STATES. [nvLL.226. 

uniiited to the nyiuouth Compiiny, and by direction of James 1 tliat 
company issued a patent to William Alexander, Earl of Stirling, 

For a tract of the main land of New England, hej^inning at Saint Croix and from 
thence extending along the sea-coast to Pemquid and the river Kennebeck. (Vide 
Charters and Constitutions, p. 774. ) 

The heirs of the Earl of Stirling sold this tract to the Duke of 
York in 1063. {Vide ZelPs Encyclopiedia.) 

In 1622 Capt. John Mason and Sir Ferdinando Gorges obtained 
from the council of Plymouth a grant of the lands lying between the 
Merrimac and Kennebec Rivers, and extending ])ack to the river and 
lakes of Canada. This tract was called Laconia, and it included New 
Hampshire and all the western part of Maine. " ( Vide Whiton's New 
Hampshire.) 

Mason and Gorges, in 1629, by mutual consent divided their terri- 
tory into two b}^ the river Piscataqua. That part on the east of this 
river was relinquished to Gorges, who called it Maine. ( Vide Whit- 
on's New Hampshire.) 

The charter of the Plymouth Company was surrendered to the King 
in the year 1635. (Vide Plymouth Colony Laws, p. 333 et .sapra.) 

King Charles I, in the year 1639, granted a charter to Sir Ferdi- 
nando Gorges, which virtually confirmed the patent given to him by 
the Plymouth Compan}^ in 1622. 

The following "extract from that charter defines the boundaries: 

All that Parte Purparte and Porcon of the Mayne Lande of New England aforesaid 
beginning att the entrance of Piscataway Harbor and soe to passe upp the same into 
the River of Newichewanocke and through the same unto the furthest heade thereof 
and from thence Northwestwards till one hundred a)id twenty miles bee tinished 
and from Piscataway Harbor mouth aforesaid Northeastw'ards along the Sea Coasts 
to Sagadahocke and up the River thereof to Kynybequy River and through the same 
into the heade thereof and into the Lande Northwestwards untill one hundred and 
twenty myles bee ended being accompted from the mouth of Sagadahocke and from 
the period of one hundred and twenty myles aforesaid to crosse over Lande to the 
one hundred and twenty myles end formerly reckoned upp into the Lande from 
Piscataway Harbor thr'ough Newichewanocke River and also the Northe halfe of the 
Isles of Shoales togeather with the Isles of Capawock and Nawtican neere Cape Cod 
as alsoe all the Islands and Iletts lyeinge within five leagues of the Mayne all alonge 
the aforesaide coasts betweene the aforesaid River of Pascataway and Sagadahocke 
with all the Creeks Havens and Harbors thereunto belonginge and the Revercon and 
Revercons Remaynder and Remaynders of all and singular the said Landes Rivers 
and Premisses. All which said Part Purpart or Porcon of the Mayne Lande and 
all and every the Premisses hereinbefore named Wee Doe for us our heires and suc- 
cessors create and incorporate into • One Province or Countie, and Wee Doe name 
ordeyne and appoynt that the i)orcon of the Mayne Lande and Premises aforesaid 
shall forever hereafter bee called and named The Province or Countie of Mayne. 

In 1664 Charles II granted to the Duke of York, who, the year 
before, had purchased the territory, which liad been awarded to the 
Earl of Stirling in the division of the country to his heirs, a portion 
of the present State of Maine, and also certain islands on the coast, 



I 



GANNETT.] MAINE. 41 

and a large territory west of the Connecticut River. (For the bound- 
aries, vide New Yorlv, p. 77 d seq.) 

In 1674 Charles II made a new grant to the Duke of York, in sul)- 
stantially the same terms as that of 1664, including, as before, a portion 
of Maine. ( Vide New York, p. 78.) 

In the year 1677, Ferdinand© Gorges, a grandson of Sir Ferdinand© 
Gorges sold and gave a deed of the province of Maine to John Ushur, 
a merchant, of Boston, for <£1,250. In the same year, Ushur gave a 
deed of the same territory to the governor and compan}^ of Massachu- 
setts Bay, who had received a grant from the council of Plymouth in 
1628, confirmed by the King in 1629. ( Vide C. & C, p. 774.) 

In 1686 Pemaquid and its dependencies, forming Cornwall County, 
under the jurisdiction of New York, were annexed to the New Eng- 
land government by a royal order, dated September 19, 1686. ( Vide 
Maine Historical Society Collection, vol. 5.) 

The charter of Massachusetts Bay of 1629 having been canceled in 
1684, in 1691 William and Mary granted a new one, incorporating the 
provinces of Maine and Acadia, or Nova Scotia, with the colonies of 
Massachusetts Bay and of Plymouth, into one ro3^al province by the 
name of the Royal Province of Massachusetts Bay. ( Vide Mass., p. 54.) 

The right of government thus acquired over the district of Maine 
was exercised by Massachusetts until 1819, when measures were taken 
to admit Maine as an independent State. 

By the treaty of Paris in 1763, the King of France relinquished all 
claim to that portion of North America which includes the present 
State of Maine. 

The northern and eastern boundaries were settled by the United 
States and Great Britain. (See p. 12 et seq.) 

The western boundary was for a long, time a source of contention 
between Maine and New Hampshire. 

New Hampshire having been made a province in 1679, controversies 
arose concerning the divisional line. 

In 1731 commissioners from New Hampshire and from Massachusetts, 
having been appointed, met, but were unable to agree. New Hampshire 
appealed to the King, and the King ordered that a settlement should be 
made by commissioners from the neighboring provinces. The board 
met at Hampton in 1737. The commissioners fixed on — substantially — 
the present boundary, wording their report as follows: 

Beginning at the entrance of Pascataqua Harbor, and so to pass up the same to the 
River Newhichawack, and thro' the 'feame into the furthest head thereof, and thence 
run north 2 degrees west till 120 miles were finished, from the mouth of Pascataqua 
Harbor, or until it meets with His Majesty's other governments. (See N. H. His- 
torical Coll., Vol. II.) 

This was confirmed by the King, August 5, 1740. 
In 1820 Maine was admitted, as an independent State. 



42 BOUNDARIES OF TIIK UNITED STATES. [iu'li..226. 

Dillk-ultii's hiiviii*;' risen iibout the bouudMry between Maine and 
Now llaiupshire, eoniiuissioners were appointed in 18^7 from eaeh 
State to determine the same. 

In 1821) tlie commissioners' report was adopted b}' eaeh State, and 
the line then settled upon is as follows, using the language of the com- 
missioners' report, viz: 

The report of the commissioners appointed Ijy His Majesty's order in council of 
February 22nd, 1735, and confirmed by his order of the 5th of August, 1740, having 
estabHshed — 

"That the dividing Une shall pass uj) through the mouth of Piscatacjua Harbor, 
and up the middle of the river of Newichwannock, part of which is now called the 
Sahnous Falls, and through the middle of the same to the farthest head thereof, &c.," 
and "that the dividing line shall part the Isle of Sholes, and run through the middle 
of the harbor, between the islands, to the sea on the southerly side, ttc." We have 
not deemed it necessary to com.mence our survey until we arrived north, at the head 
of Salmon Falls River, which was determined by Bryant, at his survey in 1740, to be 
at the outlet of East Pond, between the towns of Wakefield and Shapleigh. From 
that point we have surveyed and marked the line as follows, viz: 

We commenced at the Bryant Rock, known as such by tradition, which is a rock 
in the middle of Salmon Falls River, at the outlet of East Pond, about six feet in length, 
three feet in breadth, three feet in dearth, and two feet under the sm-face of the water, 
as the dam was at the time of the survey, to wit, October 1, 1827; said stone bears 
south seventy-one degrees west, three rods and eight links from a large rock on the 
eastern bank, marked "1827," and bears also from a rock near the milldam (marked 
"H") north nineteen degrees and thirty minutes west, and distant twelve rods and 
twenty-one links. At this point the variation of the needle was ascertained to be 
nine degrees west. 

From the above stone the line is north seven degrees and forty -one minutes east, 
one hundred and seventy-eight rods to East Pond, and crossing the pond three hun- 
dred and eleven rods in width to a stone monument which we erected up on the bank, 
about three and an half feet high above the surface of the ground, marked N on the 
west side and M on the east side, which description applies to all the stone monu- 
ments hereinafter mentioned unless they are otherwise particularly described; thence 
the same course, two hundred and twenty-five rods, to Fox Ridge, and to a stone 
monument which is placed upon the north side of the road that leads from Wakefield 
to Shapleigh; thence two hundred rods to Balch's Pond; across the pond, one hun- 
dred and three and half rods; across a peninsula, thirty-six rods; across a cove, 
fifty-one rods and seventeen links; across a second peninsula, forty-eight rods; 
across a second cove, twenty-seven rods ten links. 

Thence three hundred and seventy rods to the road leading from Newfield to Wake- 
field and a stone monument, erected on the north side of the same, near Campernell's 
house; thence north six degrees and ten minutes east, five hundred and ninety rods, 
to the line of Parsonfield, to a stone monument with additional mark " 1828." 

At this point the variation of the needle was found to be nine degrees fifteen min- 
utes west. Thence same course five hundred and eleven rods, crossing the end of 
Province Pond to a stone monument on the Parsonfield road, near the house of James 
Andrews, also with additional mark " 1828;" thence north eight degrees and thirty- 
eight minutes east, two hundred and eight rods, to the old corner-stone of Efiingham, 
about two feet above the ground, and not marked; thence north eight degrees fifty- 
five minutes east, two hundred and seventy-seven rods, to a large round stone about 
three feet diameter and two feet high, marked N and M, by the road upon Towles 
hill; thence north seven degrees fifty-five minutes east, six hundred and thirty-one 



I 



GANNETT.] MAINE. 43 

rods to a stone monument, on the road leading from Parsonflold to Effingham. At 
this point the variation of the needle was found to he 9 degrees thirty minutes west. 
Thence north five degrees two minutes east, seven hundred thirty-four to a pine 
stump, upon a small island in Ossipee River at the foot of the falls; thence north ten 
<legrees east, thirty rods, to a stone monument, on the north side of the new road 
from Porter to Effingham; thence the same course, five hundred fifty-eight rods, to 
the top of Bald Mountain; thence same course, three hundred sixteen rods, to the 
top of Bickford Mountain; thence same course one hundred and ninety-three rods, 
to a stone monument, on the north side of the road, leading from Porter to P^aton. 

At this point the variation of the needle was found to he nine degrees forty-five 
minutes west; thence north eight degrees five minutes east, seven hundred and forty- 
four rods, to Cragged Mountain; thence same course, sixty-seven rods, to the corner 
of Eaton; thence same course, seven hundred eighty-seven and an half rods, to the 
corner of Conway; thence same course, six hundred ten and an half rods, to a stone 
monument, on the south side of the road, leading from Brownfield to Conway Center; 
thence north eight degrees east, eight hundred seventy-one rods, to a stone monu- 
ment on the south side of the road leading from Fryeburg Village to Conw-ay. At 
this point the variation of the needle was found to be ten degrees west; thence same 
course, four rods, to a stone monument on the north side of the same road; thence 
north eight degrees fifteen minutes east, one hundred two rods, to Saco River; thence 
same course, eighteen rods, across said river; thence same course, six hundred forty- 
four rods, to a stone monument on the road leading to Fr}reburg Village, on the north 
side of the river. 

This monument is marked as before described, and is about eight feet high above 
the ground; thence same course one hundred forty-two rods to Ballard's mill pond; 
thence same course sixty-one rods six links across said pond; thence same course 
three hundred forty-four rods to a stone monument on the east side of Chatham road; 
thence same course six hundred ninety rods to Kimball's pond; thence same course 
one hundred sixty-six rods across said pond; thence same course sixty rods to a 
stone monument on the meadow;" thence same course nine hundred and forty rods 
to the corner of Bradley and Eastman's grant; thence same course six hundred and 
ninety rods to a stone monument on the east side of the Cold River road. This 
stone is marked as before described, but is not more than two feet above the ground. 
Thence same course one thousand five hundred forty rods to the corner of Warner 
and Gilman's location, a pile of stones. At this point the variation of the needle 
was found to be ten degrees twenty -three minutes west; thence same course four 
hundred and fifty rods to top of Mount Royce; thence same course eight hundred 
ninety-eight rods to Wild River; thence same course eight rods across said river; 
thence same course seven hundred sixty-five rods to a stone monument on the 
north side of the road leading from Lancaster to Bethel; thence same course one 
hundred rods to Androscoggin River; thence same course eighteen rods across said 
river; thence north eight degrees ten minutes east, four thousand one hundred sixty- 
two rods, across ten streams, to Chickwalnepg River; thence same course two 
thousand five hundred rods to a stone monument on the north side of the road 
leading from Errol to Andover. This stone is marked "N, H." and "M." Thence 
same course two hundred ten rods to Cambridge River; thence same course eight rods 
across said river; thence same course five hundred sixty-seven rods to Umbagog 
Lake; thence same course thirty-four rods across a cove of the same; thence same 
course ten rods across a peninsula of the same; thence same course two hundred 
twenty-five rods across a bay of said lake; thence same course two hundred six 
rods across a peninsula of the same; thence same course one thousand one hundred 
sixty-five rods, across the north bay of said lake, to a cedar post marked " N. " " ]\L ; " 



a From this point tlic line was resurveycd in 1858, tnde p. 44. 



44 BOUNDARIES OK THE UNITED STATES. [bull. 226. 

thence north eiglit (le<];rees cast seven liiindred fourteen rods to Pond Hrook; thence 
same course two hundred twenty-five rods to a stone monument on the south side of 
the Margallaway River; thence same course ten rods across said river; thencte same 
course one liundred sixty-two rods to a si)ruce, corner of the college grant; thence 
same course two hundred sixty-four rods to Margallaway River a second time. At 
this point the variation of the needle was found to be eleven degrees forty-five 
minutes west. Thence same course ten rods across said river; thence same course two 
hundred and ninety rods to same river a third time; thence same course ten rods 
across said river to a monument made with three stones on the north side of said 
river, alxjut two feet high and not marked; thence same course four hundred forty- 
four rods to corner of township number five, in second range, in Maine; thence same 
course one thousand eight hundred six rods to the nortlHt'orner of the same town- 
shijj; thence same course four hundred and sixty rods to a bran(;li of Little Diamond 
River; thence same course three hundred fifty rods to another branch of the same; 
thence same course two thousand one hundred twenty rods to a branch of the Mar- 
gallaway River; thence same course three hundred thirty-two rods to another branch 
of the same; thence same course four hundred rods to a steep mountain called Pros- 
pect Hill; thence same course nine hundred and twenty rods to IMount Carmel, 
sometimes called Sunday JNIountain; thence same course four hundred rods to a 
jierpendicular jirecipice; thence same course five hundred and forty rods to a branch 
of IMargallaway River; thence same course two hundred and sixty rods to a branch 
of the same; thence same course three hundred forty-six rods to a second steep 
precipice; thence same course one hundred eighty-six rods to a branch of Margalla- 
way River; thence same course, two hundred forty-two rods to another l)ranch of 
same river; thence same course seventy-eight rods to a beaver pond; thence same 
course one hundred twenty-six rods to a yellow birch tree on the highlands which 
divide the waters that run south from those that run into the 8t. Lawrence, being 
the northern extremity of the line, and one hundred and twelve miles two hundred 
and thirty-three rods from the head of Salmon Falls River. 

Found said tree marked on the east side "M. E. 1789," and on the west "N. H. N. 
E.;" also "M. 54." To these marks we added "N. H.," "N. E," and "M. E.," 
"1828," "E. H.," "A. M. M.," "1828," and stones were piled round the same and 
marked. 

The whole course of the line from the Androscoggin River was re-marked by spot- 
ting the old-marked trees and crossing the spots and marking others in the course. 
And the line as above surveyed and described we agree to be the true l)oundary line of 
said States. And the above-described marks and monuments we estal)lish to desig- 
nate the same, and that the said line hereafter remain the boundary line between the 
States, unless the legislature of either State shall, at the first session after the execu- 
tion of this agreement, disapprove of the same. 

WILLIAM KING, 
RUFUS McINTIRE, 

Commissirmers of Maine. 
ICHABOD BARTLETT, 
JOHN AV. WEEKS, 
Commmnnwrs of JVeiv Hampshire. 

November 1.3, 1828. 

The leg-islaturc of Maine approved of the commissioners' report 
Fe])ruar3^ 28, 1829, and requested the governor to issue his proclama- 
tion accordingh^ 

The same action was taken hj the legislature of New Hampshire, 
July 1, 1829. 



\ 



GANNETT.] MAINE. 45 

(For Report of Commissioners, see Laws of Maine, 1S28-9, under 
head of Resolves of the Ninth Legislature of the State of Maine, pa^es 
39-43.) 

Between 1828 and 1858 considerable portions of the almost unbroken 
forests throug-h which the line of 1827-28 was marked were cleared. 
Extensive forest fires often swept large tracts of this territory, and, as 
a consequence, the marks of the 1827-28 surve}^ for a distance of 
iiearl}^ eighty miles — which by that survey was mainly fixed b}" blazed 
trees — only seven stone posts having been set in this distance — were 
obliterated, so that there remained scarcel}" a vestige of the original 
line. The lands having become valuable, and litigation in many cases 
being imminent, the legislatures of the two States in 1858 provided b}'^ 
enactment for another survey from Fryeburg to the Canada line — 
which Avas made the same year. The line as then surveyed is as 
follows, viz: 

Commencing at an iron post« situated on the line run in accordance with the 
"Treaty of Wasliington, of August 9, 1842," as the houndary between the United 
States and the province of Canada, at the corners of the States of Maine and New 
Hampshire. On the south face of said post are the words "Albert Smith, U. S. 
Comssr." ; on the north face, "Lt. Col. I. B. B. Eastcourt, H. B. M. Comssr." ; on 
the west face, "Boundary. Aug. 9, 1842"; on the east face, "Treaty of "Washington." 
To the marks are added on the southern half of the west face, "H. O. Kent." A 
large flat stone was placed on the southern face of the monument and marked 
"1858 — N. H., Me.," on either side of a line cut in said stone bearing the direction 
of the State's line, viz, south, 8 degrees west. 

From this point the line is south 8 degrees west, 17 rods 7 links to a large yellow 
birch stub, the northern terminus of the former survey; thence 126 rods to a beaver 
pond; thence 78 rods to the northwesterly branch of the Margallaway, known as 
Kent River; thence 242 rods to another branch of the Margallaway; thence 186 rods 
to a certain steep precipice perpendicular on its southern face; thence 346 rods to a 
branch of the Margallaway River; thence 260 rods to another branch of the same; 
thence 540 rods to a precipice, the southern side of Mount Abbott; thence 400 rods to 
the summit of Mount Carmel; thence 920 rods, and across four streams, to the sum- 
mit of Prospect Hill. 

On this distance we marked a yellow-birch tree " H. O. Kent, September 20, 1858," 
and the names of the remainder of the party; thence 400 rods to another branch of 
the Margallaway; thence 3.32 rods to the Little Margallaway River; thence 2,120 rods 
across Bosebuck Mountain to a branch of said river. On tliis distance at tlie north- 
west corner of township No. 5, range 3, in Maine, we marked a white-birch tree,"N. 
H. M.," and on its north and south sides " IV, III." Thirty rods trom the summit of 
Bosebuck Mountain, and on its northern slope, we erected a stone monument marked 
" N. M." ; thence 350 rods to the Little Diamond River or Abbott Brook; thence 460 
rods to the northwest corner of towmship No. 5, range 2, in Maine. On this distance 
we found an ancient yellow-birch tree marked "1789-35, M." To these marks we 
added " 1858" ; thence 1,806 rods to the southwest corner of the same township. On 
this distance, at the northeast corner of Dartmouth College, second grant in N. IL, 
we marked a large yellow-birch tree "Me., J. U. W., 1858; N. H., H. 0. K."; thence, 
and across an open bog, 444 rods to the north bank of the Margallaway River, to a 

"The position of this post is given in Hitchcock's Geological Survcy.of New Hamp.shire as follows, 
viz: Latitude, &> 18' 23".33; longitude, 71° 5' 40".5. 



46 BOUNDARIES OF THE UNITED STATES. [buu..22C. 

whitc'-inapk' tree marked " N. II. M."; thence 10 rods across said river to a large 
l)i III' tree marked "M." " N. H."; thence and across a second open bog 290 rods to the 
same river and to a large elm stub; thence 10 rods across sai<l river; thence 264 rods to 
a spruce post marked "M." "N. H.", " W. L.", "D. C", being the southeast corner 
of I )artm( )uth College, second grant; thence 162 rods to the Margallaway River; thence 

10 rods across said river to a stone monument on its southerly side, standing about 3 
li'et above the ground and marked "M." "NIL"; thence to the original line tree 
nearest to the clearing of the home farm of Z. F. Durkee, esq. The course of the line 
the entire distance from the iron post at the national boundary to this point bears south 
eight degrees vest; thence across said clearing, the old line marks being gone, south 

11 degrees and 30 minutes west, 168 rods, to the old crossed trees in the woods south 
of Pond Brook; thence from Pond Brook south eight degrees west, 714 rods to the 
north bog of ITmbagog Lake and to a cedar tree marked " M." "N." To this we 
added "1858." 

On this distance near the corner of Errol and Wentworth's location, which is a 
cedar post in a pile of stones, we marked a maple tree " M. 1858," " N. H. 1858"; 
thence south ten degrees and thirty minutes west 1,165 rods, across the north bay of 
said lake to the old marked trees on the southern shore; thence south eight degrees 
west 206 rods across the peninsula to a cedar tree marked "M." " N. H." A large 
stone, also, on the lake shore was marked "M." "N. H."; thence same course 225 
rods, across a bay of said lake; thence same course 10 rods, across a peninsula; thence 
same course 34 rods, across a cove; thence same course 567 rods, to Cambridge River; 
thence same course 8 rods, across said river to a white-maple stub; thence same course 
210 rods, to a stone monument on the north side of the road leading from Andover, 
Me., to Colebrook, N. H.; thence same course to the north edge of the burnt land 
in Grafton and Success; thence south 11 degrees west across ten streams and the 
Chickwalmpy River, or Silver Stream, to the old line trees bearing the crosses, 
easterly of the south end of Success Pond; thence on the same course south 10 
degrees west, following the old mark to an ash tree bearing the original cross, 
standing a few rods north of the house of the late Daniel Ingalls, in Shelburne; 
thence south 11 degrees west to a stone monument, by the road on the north side 
of the Androscoggin River, and to the north bank of said river, the whole distance 
from the stone monument near Umbagog Lake to the north bank of the Andro- 
scoggin River, being 6,662 rods; thence south 11 degrees west 18 rods across said 
river; thence same course 100 rods, crossing the track of the Grand Trunk Railway 
to a stone monument on the north side of the road leading from Lancaster, N. H., to 
Bethel, Me. ; thence same course 765 rods, to a hemlock tree on the south bank of Wild 
River; thence south 66 degrees 30 minutes west 34 rods, on an offset of the old sur- 
vey along said south bank to the old line trees; thence following the old line trees 
south 1 L degrees west, passing the southeast corner of Shelburne, 898 rods to the top 
of Mount Royce, the whole distance being 1,881 rods. One mile north of the summit 
of Mount Royce we marked a beech tree "N. H." "M." 1858; thence toa large stone 
marked " N. H." " Me." ; thence south 10 degrees 15 minutes west to a stone monu- 
ment on the east side of the Cold River road. On this distance at the foot of the first 
precipice on the northern face of Mount Royce a white-birch tree was marked "1858." 
Further on and east of a bare ledge a white-birch tree was marked "1858," and near 
it, on the line, a pile of stones was erected. At the first clearing, near the north end 
of a stone fence, a large stone was marked " M. " " N. H. " ; thence along a stone fence 
and across a road through a piece of new growth and again crossing the road; then 
following another stone fence on the east side of the road, passing through a field and 
by the end of another stone fence; then crossing a road near the west end of a bridge 
over Cold River; then following the valley of that stream and crossing it six times; 
then crossing another road, where we placed a stone monument; then through afield, 
striking an old stump and pile of stones, shown as the old line and passing between 



GANNETT] NEW HAMPSHIRE. 47 

a house and barn, and through the western edge of a grove of trees to the stone mon- 
ument near the house of Mr. Eastman, the whole distance l>eing 1,190 rods; thence 
1,630 rods to a stone monument standing in the meadow 60 njds north of the north 
shore of Kimball's Pond, in Fryeburg. 

But as the towns of Fr3?el)urg and Stowe have erected no durable monument on the 
State's line at their respective corners, we deemed itadvisal)le, under our instructions, 
to proceed so far south as at least to pass the said corner and to complete the work at 
some well-defined monument of the old survey. 

This course bore from the monument to and across an open bay south 12 degrees 
west; thence on the old trees south 9 degrees west 100 rods; thence on the old line 
south 10 degrees 30 minutes west to a stone monument erected by us near the house of 
Jonnet Clay, in Chatham, and on the north side of the road leading from Stowe to 
Chatham Corners; said monument is marked "M." "N. H." 1858; thence on the old 
line south 11 degrees west to the road leading from North Fryeburg to Chatham, at 
which point we placed a stone monument; thence south 11 degrees west to the north- 
west corner of Fryeburg, being a stake in a pile of stones in a piece of low ground, 
southerly of the house of Captain Bryant, and to the old monument, 60 rods north of 
Kimball's Pond. On the bank north of said corner, on the south side of the road, and 
near Captain Bryant's house, we placed a stone monument marked "M." "N. H. 
1858." 

The different courses laid down in the foregoing report are the bear- 
ings of the compass in 1858 when placed on the line established in 1828. 
(See Legislative Journal of New Hampshire, 1859, pages 764-767.) 

In 1874 the line between Maine and New Hampshire was resurveyed 
and marked. ( Vide Hitchcock's Geology of New Hampshire, Vol. I, 
p. 173.) 

NEW HAMPSHIRE. 

The first charter of Virginia, granted in 16(^6, included the territory 
of the present State of New Hampshire {vide p. 39), as did the charter 
of New England, granted in 1620 {vide p. 39), and the grant to Capt. 
John Mason and Sir Ferdinando Gorges of 1622 {vide p. 40). 

The president and council of New England made a grant to Capt. 
John Mason in 1629 as follows, viz: 

******* 

All that part of the main land in New England lying upon the sea coast, beginning 
from the middle part of Merrimack River, and from thence to proceed northwards 
along the sea-coast to Piscataqua River, and so forwards up within the said river and 
to the furthest head thereof, and from thence northwestwards until three score miles 
be finished from the first entrance of Piscataqua River and also from Merrimack 
through the said river and to the furthest head thereof, and so forward up into the 
lands westward until three score miles be finished, and from thence to cross overland 
to the three score miles, and accompted to Piscataqua River, together with all islands 
and islets within 5 leagues distance of the premises and abutting upon the same, or 
any part or parcel thereof, &c., * * * Which said portions of lands * * * the 
said Capt. John Mason, with the consent of the president and council, intends to 
name Neiv Hampshire. * * * 

In 1635 the grant of 1629 was confirmed by a supplementary grant, 
of which the following is an extract, viz: 

All that part of the Mayn Land of New England aforesaid, beginning from the 
middle part of Naumkeck River, and from thence to proceed eastwards along the Sea 



48 BOUNDARIES OF THK UNITED STATES. [Bri,i..226. 

Coast to Cape Anne, and round aliout the «iine to I'iscliataway ]Iarl)Our, and soo 
f(jrwards up within the river Newgewanacke, and to the furthest head of the said 
Kiver and from thence northwestwards till sixty miles bee finished, from the first 
entrance of Pischataway Harbor, and alsoe from Naumkecke through the River 
tlu'ri'of up into the land west sixty miles, from which period to cross over land to the 
sixty miles end, accompted from Pischataway, through Newgewanacke River to the 
land northwest aforesaid; and alsoe all that the South Ilalfe of the Ysles of Sholes, 
all which lands, with the Consent of the Counsell, shall from henceforth l)e called 
Ne\v-ham])shyre. And alsoe ten thousaml acres more of land on tlie southeast part 
of Sagadihoc at the mouth or entrance thereof — from henceforth to bee called by the 
name of Massonia, &c. * * * 

After the death of Capt. John Mason (in December, 1035), the affairs 
of the colony coming- into bad condition, they sought tlie protection of 
Massachusetts in 1641 and enjoyed it till 1075, when Robert Mason, a 
grandson of John Mason, o])tained a ro3'al decree, under which, in 
1680, a colonial government was established. But no charter was given 
to the colony, and its government was onl}^ continued during the pleas- 
ure of the King. The following is an extract from the commission, or 
decree, issued by the King in 1680: 

Province of New Hampshire, lying and extending from three miles northward of 
Merrimack River or any part thereof into ye Province of Maine. 

In the year 1090 the province of New Hampshire was again taken 
under the jurisdiction of Massachusetts Ba}", but was again separated 
in 1692. 

[For a history of the boundary between New Hampshire and Maine, 
vide Maine, p. 41.] 

The controversy already referred to, arising between the provinces of 
New Hampshire and Massachusetts Bay, not only involved the settle- 
ment of the ])Oundary between New Hampshire and Maine, but also 
that between New Hampshire and Massachusetts, and, as before stated 
{vide Maine, p. 41), the commissioners appointed by the two provinces 
having been unable to agree. New Hampshire appealed to the King, 
who ordered that the boundaries should be settled by a board of com- 
missioners appointed from the neighboring colonies. 

The board met at Hampton in 1737, and submitted a conditional 
decision to the King, who in 1740 declared in council as follows, viz: 

That the northern boundary of the province of Massachusetts be a similar curve 
line pursuing the course of the Merrimac River, at three miles distance, on the north 
side thereof, beginning at the Atlantic Ocean and ending at a point due north of 
Pautucket Falls, and a straight line drawn from thence, due west, till it meets with 
His Majesty's other Governments. ( Vide Vermont State Papers, Slade, p. 9.) 

New Hampshire claimed her southern boundar}^ to be a line due 
west from a point on the sea three miles north of the mouth of Mer- 
rimac River. Massachusetts claimed all the territory three miles 
north of any part of Merrimac River. The King's decision gave to 
New Hampshire a strip of territor}^ more than fifty miles in length, 



GANNETT.] NEW HAMPSHIRE. 49 

and of varying- width, in excess of that which she claimed. This decree 
of the King was forwarded to Mr. Belcher, then governor of both the 
provinces of New Hampshire and Massachusetts Bav, with instruc- 
tions to apply to the respective asseml^lies to unite in making the 
necessar}^ provisions for running and marking the line conformal)lc to 
the said decree, and if either assembly refused, the other was to pro- 
ceed ex parte. Massachusetts Bay declined complying with this requi- 
sition. New Hampshire, therefore, proceeded alone to run and mark 
the line, 

George Mitchel and Richard Hazen were appointed by Belcher to 
survey and mark the line. Pursuant to this authority-, in the month of 
February, 1741, Mitchel ran and marked the line from the seacoast 
about three miles north of the mouth of the Meriimac River to a point 
about three miles north of Pawtucket Falls, and Hazen, in the month 
of INlarch following, ran and marked a line from the point, three miles 
north of Pawtucket Falls, across the Connecticut River, to the sup- 
posed boundar}^ line of New York, on what he then supposed to be a 
due west course from the place of beginning. He was instructed by 
Governor Belcher to allow for a westerly variation of the needle of 
ten degrees. ( Vide New Hampshire Journal H. R., 1826.) 

The report of the survej^ors has not been preserved, but the journal 
of Hazen has been found, and is published in the New England His- 
torical and Genealogical Register, July, 1879. 

Subsequent investigation has proved that this line was not run on a 
due west course, the allowance for the westerly variation of the needle 
being quite too large, throwing the line north of west. 

This mistake seems to have been known previous to the Revolution. 
In 1774 calculations were made by George Sproule, founded upon 
actual surveys and accurate astronomical observations, from which he 
determined that Hazen's line was so far north of west as to lose to the 
State of New Hampshire quite a large tract of land. ( Vide New 
Hampshire Journal H. R., 1826.) 

In 182.5 commissioners were appointed by the States of New Hamp- 
shire and Massachusetts to ascertain, run, and mark the line between 
the two States, under the proceedings of which New Hampshire 
asserted her claim to a due west line, conformable to the decree of 
1740, it being apparent by a survev made b}^ the commissioners that 
the original line was north of west. This the Massachusetts commis- 
sioners refused to do, alleging that they were only empowered to 
ascertain and mark the original line. 

On March 10, 1827, the legislature passed a resolution providing for 
the erection of durable monuments to preserve the boundary line 
between the States of Massachusetts and New Hampshire, as the same 
had been run and ascertained b}' the commissioners, and monuments 
were erected accordingly. ( Vide Resolves of Massachusetts, 1827.) 



50 HOUNDARIF.S OF THE UNITED STATES. [buu,.22C. 

In 1885 tlic joiiil (oiimii.ssioii appointed b}' the tStatcs of New Hamp- 
shire and Ma«!sachusetts reran and marked the curved portion of the 
boundarv, l"()nc)\viM<i;' the course of iNIerrimac River, chani^ino- it only 
to a trifling extent. This commission was, however, unable to agree 
upon the boundary west of Pawtucket Falls. This matter dragged 
along until finally in 1S04 this conunission, togetluM" with a commission 
representing Vermont, agreed to maintain the liazen line, and this line 
was retraced and remarked from Pawtucket Falls to the northwest 
corner of IVIassachusetts. 

Under the decree of the King of 1740 the province of New Hamp- 
shire claimed jurisdiction as far west as the territory of Massachusetts 
and Connecticut extended, thus including the present State of Vermont. 
New York claimed all the country west of the Connecticut, under the 
charters of 1664 and 1674 to the Duke of York. A bitter controversy 
ensued. The following papers serve to throw some light on the matter: 

Letter f:om the Governor of Nnr irampshire to the Gorernor of New York. 

Portsmouth, Norcmher 17, 1749. 

* * * I think it my duty * * * to transmit to your excellency the descrip- 
tion of New Hampshire as the King has determined it in the words of my commission. 

* * * In consequence of His Majesty's determination of the boundaries between 
New Hampshire and Massachusetts, a surveyor and proper chainmen were appointed 
to run the western line from 3 miles north of Pautucket Falls, and the surveyor upon 
oath has declared that it strikes Hudson's Piver about 80 poles north of where 
Mohawk's River comes into Hudson's River. 

****** 

B. WENTWORTH. 

(See Stat<^ Papers of Vermont, Slade, 1, page 10.) 

The following is a description of the bounds of New Hampshire given 
to Governor Benning Wcntworth, of province of New Hampshire, b}" 
George H, July 3, 1741: 

George the Second, ])y the Grace of God, of Great Britain, France, and Ireland King, 
Defender of the Faith, &c. 

To onr iruslij and vKil-hrJored Benmng WentwortJi, esqr., fjreeting: 

Know you that we, reposing especial trust and confidence in the prudence, courage, 
and loyalty of you, the said Benning Wentworth, out of our especial grace, certain 
knowledge, and mere motion, have thought fit to constitute and appoint, and by 
these presents do constitute and appoint you, the said Benning Wentworth, to be 
our governor and commaTider in chief of our province of New Hampshire, within our 
•lominions of New England in America, bounded on the south side by a similar 
curve line pursuing the course of Merrimac River at three miles distance, on the 
north side thereof, beginning at the Atlantick Ocean and ending at a point due north 
of a place called Pautucket Falls, and by a straight line drawn from thence due west 
cross the said river 'till it meets with our other Governments. * * * 

(Jiven at Whitehall July the 3rd, in the 15th year of His Majesty's reign. 

(See Documentary History of N. York, vol. 4, page 331.) 



I 



GANNETT.] NEW HAMPSHIEE VERMONT. 51 

The question of the right of territory wa.s submitted to the Kiiiii", who 
iu 17G4: made the following decree: 

ORDER IN COUNCIL FIXING THE BOUNDARY BETWEEN NEW YORK AND NEW HAMP- 
SHIRE. 

[l. s.] At the Court at St. James, 

The &!Vth day of July, 1764. 

Present: The King's Most Excellent Majesty; Lord Steward, Earl of Sandwich, 
Earl of Halifax, Earl of Powis, Earl of Hilsborough, Mr. Vice-Chamberlain Gilbert 
Eliot, esqr., James Oswald, esqr., Earl of Harcourt. 

Whereas there was this day read at the Board a report made by the right honora- 
ble the lords of the committee of council for plantation affairs, dated the 17th of this 
instant, upon considering a representation from tiie lords commissioners for trade and 
lilantations, relative to the disputes that have some years sul)sisted between the prov- 
inces of New Hampshire and New York, concerning the boundary line between those 
provinces. His Majesty, taking the same into consideration, was pleased with the ad- 
vice of his Privy Council to approve of what is therein proposed, and doth accordingly 
hereby order and declare the western banks of the river Connecticut, from where it 
enters the province of the Massachusetts Bay, as far north as the forty-fifth degree of 
northern latitude, to be the boundary line between the said two provinces of New 
Hampshire and New York. Whereof the respective governors and commanders in 
chief of His Majesty's said provinces of New Hampshire and New York for the time 
being, and all others whom it may concern, are to take notice of His Majesty's pleasure 
hereby signified and govern themselves accordingly. 

WM. BLAIR. 

( Vide Documentar}^ Histor}^ of New York, vol. 4, p. 355.) 

Notwithstanding this decree of the King, controversy, attended with 
violence, was kept up for many A^ears; but the line was finally accepted 
and now forms the boundary line between the States of New Hampshire 
and Vermont. 

The northern boundary of New Hampshire was settled b}^ the United 
States and Great Britain. ( Vide p. 17 et seq.) ' 

It is as follows, viz: 

Commencing at the "Crown Monument," so called, at the intersection of the State 
of New Hampshire, Maine, and the Province of Quebec, in latitude 45° 18^ 23'^. 33, 
longitude 71° 5' 40^^.5, thence in an irregular line to Hall's Stream, thence down the 
same to the northeastern corner of Vermont, in latitude 45° 0' 17^^58, longitude 71° 30^ 
34^^.5. ( Vide Hitch. Geology of New Hampshire. ) 

VERMONT. 

The grants from King Henry, of France, of 1603, and King James, 
of England, of 1606, both included that territory which forms the 
present State of Vermont. It was also included in the charter of New 
England of 1620. 

In the grants to the Duke of York, in 1()61 and 1674, all the territory 
between the Connecticut and Delaware rivers was included. New 
York, therefore, claimed jurisdiction of the territory now known as 
Vermont. Massachusetts, however, at an early period, having made 



52 HOUNDAKIES OF TIIP: UNITED STATES. rBi'i-L.226. 

claim to tlie tract west of the Connecticut Kivcr, now a portion of tiiat 
State, by the interpretation of her charter, chiiined the greater part of 
the .sanje territor}'. By the terms of the charter of Massachusetts Bay, 
of 1629, that colony was granted all the lands — 

Which lye and be within the space of Three English luyles tu the nt^rthwanl of 
the saide Eiver called Monomack alias Merrymack, or to the norward of any and 
every Parte thereof. 

Under this clause Massachusetts Bay claimed that her jurisdiction 
extended 3 miles north of the farthest part of the Merrimac River, 
which would embrace a large portion of New Hampshire and Ver- 
mont. New Hampshire contested this claim, and after seAcral A'ears' 
controversy was more than sustained by a decision of the King in 1740. 
New Hampshire in her turn claimed the territory of Vermont, on the 
ground that Massachusetts and Connecticut, having been allowed to 
extend their boundaries to within 20 miles of the Hudson River, her 
western boundary should go equally as far, and contended that the 
King's decree of IT-IO left that fairly to be inferred; also, that the old 
charters of 1664 and 1674 were obsolete. 

By a decree of the King, however, the territory west of the Con- 
necticut River, from the 45th parallel of north latitude to the Mas- 
sachusetts line, was declared to belong to the province of New York. 
{Vide New Hampshire, p. 51.) 

As most of the settlers of Vermont were from New Hampshire, this 
decision of the King caused great dissatisfaction, and the Revolution 
found Vermont the scene of conflicting claims, and the theater of vio- 
lent acts, culminating, in some instances, in actual ])loodshed. 

On January 15, 1777, Vermont declared herself independent and 
laid claim to the territory west as far as Hudson River, and from its 
source north to the international boundary, including a tract along the 
west shore of Lake Champlain. A part of New Hampshire, also, at 
one time sought a union with Vermont. 

In 1781 Massachusetts assented to her independence. She adjusted 
her difl'erences with New Hampshire in 1782, but eight years more 
passed before New York consented to her admission into the Union. 

In 1791 Vermont was admitted as an independent State, but was 
required to restrict her boundaries to their present extent. 

The act of New York, of March 6, 1790, giving her consent to the 
admission of Vermont, defines her boundaries. ( Vide Slade's Vermont, 
p. 507.) 

The northern boundary was settled by the United States and Great 
Britain by the treat}^ of Washington, in 1842. ( Vide p. 17.) 

The eastern boundary is low-water mark on the west bank of the 
Connecticut River. (FZ^t^ New Hampshire, p. 51.) 

The southern boundary was settled by the decree of 1740. ( Vide j 
New Hampshire, p. 48.) 



U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 



BULLETIN NO. 236 PL. XVI 




BOUNDARY BETWEEN VERMONT AND NEW YORK. 



V. S. GEOLOGfCAL SURVEY 



BULLETIN NO. 226 PL. XVII 




Bai^^^ 




BOUNDARY BETWEEN VERMONT AND NEW YORK. 

Bull. 226—04 6 



i 



GANNETT] VERMONT. 53 

The line between Vermont and New York was surve3^ed and marked 
b}'^ conniiissioners from the two States in 1814, and is as follows, xi-/.: 

Beginning at a red or black oak tree, the northwest corner of Massachusetts^, and 
running north 82° 20' west as the magnetic needle pointed in 1814, 50 chains, to a 
monument erected for the southwest corner of the State of "Vermont, by Smith 
Thompson, Simon De Witt, and George Tibbitts, commissioners on the part of New 
York, and Joseph Beeman, jr., Henry Olin, and Joel Pratt, second, commissioners 
on the part of the State of Vermont, which monument stands on the brow of a high 
hill, descending to the west, then northerly in a straight line to a point which is 
distant 10 chains, on a course south 35 degrees west, from the most westerly corner 
of a lot of land distinguished in the records of the town of Pownal, in the State of 
Vermont, as the fifth division of the right of Gamaliel Wallace, and which, in the 
year 1814, was owned and occupied by Abraham Vosburgh; then north 35 degrees 
east, to said corner and along the westerly bounds of said lot, 30 chains, to a place 
on the westerly bank of Hasick River where a hemlock tree heretofore stood, noticed 
in said records as the most northerly corner of said lot; then north 1 degree and 20 
minutes west, 6 chains to a monument erected by the said commissioners, standing 
on the westerly side of Hasick River, on the north side of the higliway leading out of 
Hasick into Pownal, and near the northwesterly corner of the bridge crossing said river; 
then north 27 degrees and 20 minutes east, 30 chains, through the bed of the said river, 
to a large roundish rock on the northeasterly bank thereof; then north 25 degrees 
west, 16 chains and 70 links; then north 9 degrees west, 18 chains and 60 links, to a 
white oak tree, at the southwest corner of the land occupied in 1814 by Thomas 
Wilsey; then north 11 degrees east, 77 chains, to the north side of a highway, where 
it is met by a fence dividing the possession of said Thomas Wilsey, jr., and ?"mery 
Hunt; then north 46 degrees east, 6 chains; then south 66 degrees east, 26 chains and 
25 links; then north 9 degrees east, 27 chains and 50 links, to a blue-slate stone, 
anciently set up for the southwest corner of Bennington; then north 7 degrees and 30 
minutes east, 46 miles 43 chains and 50 links, to a bunch of hornbeam saplings on the 
south 1jank of Poultney River, the northernmost of which was marked by said last- 
mentioned commissioners, and from which a large butternut tree bears north 70 
degrees west, 30 links, a large hard maple tree, south 2 chains and 86 links, and a 
white ash tree on the north side of said river, north 77 degrees east. 

Which said several lines from the monument erected for the southwest corner of 
the State of Vermont were established by said last-mentioned commissioners, and 
were run by them, as the magnetic needle pointed, in the year 1814, then down the 
said Poultney River, through the deepest channel thereof, to East Bay; then through 
the middle of the deepest channel of East Bay and the waters thereof to where the 
same communicate with Lake Cham plain; then through the deepest channel of Lake 
Cham plain to the eastward of the islands called the Four Brothers, and the westward 
of the islands called the Grand Isle and Long Isle, or the Two Heroes, and to the 
westward of the Isle La Motte to the line in the 45th degree of north latitude, 
established by treaty for the boundary line between the United States and the British 
Dominions. (See Revised Statutes of New York, Banks & Brothers, sixth edition, 
Vol. I, pp. 122-123.) 

This line was changed in 1876 by a cession of a small territory from 
Vermont to New York, described as follows, viz: 

All that portion of the town of Fairhaven, in the county of Rutland, and State of 
Vermont, lying westerly from the middle of the deepest channel of Poultney River, 
as it now runs, and between the middle of the deepest channel of said river and the 
west line of the State of Vermont as at present established. (Ratified by Congress 
April 7, 1880. ) 



54 BOUNDARIES OF THE UNITED STATES. Iiuii.l.J26. 

MASSACHUSETTS. 

'r\n\ territory of Massachusetts was included in the first cluirter of 
Virj^-iniii, o-runtcd in 1606 ( Vide Virginia, p. 95), jind in tlic charter of 
New Enfrhmd, trranted in 1620 ( Vide Maine, p. 31)). 

In 162S the council of Plymouth made a j^rant to the governor and 
compan}' of Massachusetts Bay in New England, which was contirmed 
l)v the King, and a charter was granted in 1621), of which the following 
are extracts: 

* * * Nowe Knowe Yee, that Wee * * * have given and granted * * * 
all that Parte of Newe England in Amirica which lyes and extends hetweene a great 
River there commonlie called Monomack River, alias Merrimack River, and a certen 
other River there, called Charles River, being in the Bottome of a certen Bay there, 
comonlie called Massachusetts alias Mattachusetts, alias Massatusetts Bay, and also 
all and singuler those Landes and Hereditament whatsoever, lying within the Space 
of Three Englishe Myles on the South Parte of the said River called Charles River, or 
of any or every Parte thereof. And also all and singuler the Landes and Heredita- 
ments whatsoever, lying and being with the space of Three Englishe Miles to the 
southward of the southermost Parte of the said Baye, called Massachusetts, alias Matta- 
chusetts, alias Massatusetts Bay — and also all those Lands and Hereditaments what- 
soever, which lye and be within the space of Three English Myles to the Northward 
of the saide River, called Monomack, alias Merrymack, or to the Norward of any and 
every Parte thereof and all Landes and Hereditaments whatsoever, lyeing within the 
Lymitts aforesaide, North and South, in Latitude and Bredth, and in Length and 
Longitude, of and within all the Bredth aforesaide, throughout the Mayne Landes there 
from the Atlantick and Westerne Sea and Ocean on the East Parte, to the South Sea 
on the West Parte. 

* * * Provided alwayes. That yf the said Landes * * * were at the tyme of 
the graunting of the saide former Letters patents, dated the Third Day of November, 
in the Eighteenth yeare of our said deare Fathers Raigne aforesaide, actuallie jiossessed 
or inhabited by any other Christian Prince of State, or were within the Boundes 
Lymitts or Territories of that Southern Colony, then before graunted by our saide 
late Father * * * That then this present Graunt shall not extend to any such 
partes or parcells thereof * * * but as to those partes or parcells * * * shal 
be vtterlie voyd, theis presents or any Thinge therein conteyned to the contrarie not- 
wistancling * * * 

The charter of New England was surrendered to the King in 1635. 
( Vide Plymouth Colony Laws, p. 333. ) 

The charter of 1629 was canceled b}^ a judgment of the high court 
of chancery of England, June 18, 1684. ( Vide C. & C, p. 942.) 

In the year 1686 Pemaquid and its dependencies were annexed to the 
New England government. ( Vide Maine, p. 41.) 

In 1691 a new charter was granted to Massachusetts Bay, which 
included Plj^mouth Colony and the Provinces of Maine and Nova Scotia. 
The following are extracts from this charter: 

* * * Wee * * * do will and ordeyne that the Territories and Collonyes 
Commonly called or Known by the names of the Collony of the Massachusetts Bay 
and Collony of New Plymouth the Province of Main the Territorie called Accadia or 
Nova Scotia and all that tract of Land lying betweene the said Territories of Nova 
Scotia and the said Province of Main be erected Vnited and Incorporated * * * 



GANNETT] MASSACHUSETTS. 55 

into one reall Province by the Name of Our Province of the Massachusetts Bay in New 
England. * * * 

All that parte of New England in America lying and extending from the greate 
River comonly called Monomack als Merrimack on the Northpart and from three 
Miles Northward of the said River to the Atlantick or Western Sea or Ocean on the 
South part And all the Lands and Hereditaments whatsoever lying within the limitts 
aforesaid and extending as farr as the Outermost Points or Promontories of Land 
called Cape Cod and Cape Mallabar North and South and in Latitude Breadth and 
in Length and Longitude of and within all the Breadth and Compass aforesaid 
throughout the INIain Land there from the said Atlantick or Western Sea and Ocean 
on the East parte towards the South Sea or Westward as far as Our Collonyes of 
Rhode Island Connecticutt and the Narragansett Countrey all alsoe all that part or 
porcon of Main Land beginning at the Entrance of Pescataway Harbour and soe to 
pass vpp the same into the River Newickewannock and through the same into the 
furthest head thereof and from thence Northwestward till One Hundred and Twenty 
miles be furnished and from Piscataway Harl)Our mouth aforesid North-Eastward 
along the Sea Coast to Sagadehock and from the Period of One Hundred and Twenty 
Miles aforesaid to crosse over Land to the One Hundred and Twenty ]\Iiles before 
reckoned up into the Land from Piscataway Harbour through Newickawannock 
River and alsoe the North halfe of the Isles and Shoales togather with the Isles of 
Cappawock and Nantukett near Cape Cod aforesaid and alsoe [all] Lands and Here- 
ditaments lying and being iii the Countrey and Territory comonly called Accadia or 
Nova Scotia And all those Lands and Hereditaments lying and extending betweene 
the said Countrey or Territory of Nova Scotia and the said River of Sagadahock or any 
part thereof And all Lands Grounds Places Soiles Woods and Wood grounds Havens 
Ports Rivers Waters and other Hereditaments and premisses whatsoever, lying within 
the said bounds and limitts aforesaid and every part and parcell thereof and alsoe all 
Islands and Isletts lying within tenn Leagues directly opposite to the ]\Iain Land 
within the said bounds. * * * 

(For an account of the settlement of the boundary between the Dis- 
trict of Maine, formerh' a part of Massachusetts, see Maine, p. 41.) 

The present northern boundary of Massachusetts was settled in 1741. 
(For history, see New Hampshire, p. 49.) 

The boundary line between Massachusetts and Rhode Island was for 
more than two hundred 3'ears a question of dispute, and was, in some 
respects, the most remarkable boundary case with which this country 
has had to do. Twice the case went to the Supreme Court of the 
United States, and in one of these suits Daniel Webster and liufus 
Choate were emploj^ed as counsel for Massachusetts. 

As early as 1642 the line between the tAvo colonies was marked in 
part by Nathaniel Woodward and Solomon Saffrey, who set up on the 
plain of Wrentham a stake as the commencement of the line between 
Massachusetts Bay and Rhode Island. This stake was by them sup- 
posed to mark a point 3 miles south of the Charles River. 

The report of these commissioners has not been found, but frequent 
reference is made to their survey in the record of the subsequent con- 
troversies and litigations. 

In il 710-11 commissioners appointed from Massachusetts and Rhode 
Island agreed upon the north line of Rhode Island. The action of the 
commissioners was approved by the legislatures of both colonies. 



50 HOHNDARIKS OF TIIK UNITED STATES. [bui.l.22C. 

The at>reemtiiit was as follows, viz: 

That the stake set up by Nathaniel Woodward and Solomon Saffrey, skillful, ap- 
proved artists, in the year of our Lord 1642, and since that often renewed in the lati- 
tude of 41° 55'', being 3 English miles distant southward from the southernmost part 
of the river called Charles River, agreeable to the letters patent for the Massachusetts 
Province, be accounted and allowed on both sides the commencement of the line 
between the Massachusetts and the colony of Rhode Island, from which said stake 
the dividing line shall run, so as it may (at Connecticut River) be 2J miles to the 
southward of a <lue west line, allowing the variation of the compass to be 9°; which 
said line sliall forever, Sir. ( Vide Howard's Reports, S. C, Vol. 4, p. fi.Sl, rt. acq.) 

In ITU) this line was run b}" comiiiissioners appointed for the pur- 
pose. Subsequent investigation has shown that this line was inin in a 
very irreoulai- manner. ( V/de R. I. Acts, May, 1S()T, pag"e T), <'f xiq.) 

The line between Massachusetts and the eastern part of Rho<le Island 
was fixed by commissioners in 1741, from the decision of whom the 
colony of Rhode Island appealed to the King, who, in Ww year 1746, 
affirmed their decision l)y a ro3'al decree. 

The following- is a record of the proceedings in council, together 
with the royal decree: 

[Council office. Coiuicil Register. Geo. II, No. S, p. 20-J.] 

At the Coxtet at Kensington, 

the 29(h dai/ of Jnhj, 1742. 

Present: The Kings Most Excellent Majesty, Archbp'^ of Canturbury, Earl of 
Pembroke, Lord President Earl of Winchelsea, Lord Privy Seal Earl of Grantham, 
Duke of Bolton, Earl of Cholmondelly, Duke of Rutland, Earl of Wilmington, Manf 
of Tweedale, Earl of Bath, Visco' Lonsdale, Mr. Chancellor of the Exche", Lord 
Delaware, Sr. Charles Wager, Lord Bathurst, Sr. William Younge, Lord Monsore, 
Sr. John Norris, Mr. Speaker Thomas Winnington, esq., JVIr. Vice Chamberlin, 
George AVade, esq. 

Ujion reading this day at the board the humble Petetion and appeale of the Gov- 
ernor and company of the English of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations in 
New England in America from several particular jtarts of the determination of the 
commissioners appointed by his Majesty to settle the Boundary's of the saiil colony 
Eastwards with the Province of Massachusetts Bay, and humbly praying that a day 
may be appointed for hearing said appeal, and that the particular parts of the said 
commissioners' determination appealed from may be reversed, and such other deter- 
mination made instead thereof as shall be agreeable to the true construction of the 
Boundarys contained in the Royal Charter under which the Petioners claim, it is 
ordered by his Majesty in Council that the said Petition and appeal (a copy whereof 
is hereunto annexed) be and it is hereby referred to the Right Honorable the Lords 
of the conmiittee of council for hearing appeals from the Plantations to hear the 
same, and report their opinion thereupon to his Majesty at the Board. 

A true copv. 

I. B. LENNARD. 

Collated with the original entry in the Council Register, 18 Jan'y, 1845. 

ROBT. LEMON 

[Council office. Council Register. Geo. II, No. 8, p. 236.] 

At the Court of Kensington, 

ihe 15th day of Sept., 1742. 
Present: The Kings Most Excellent Majesty Archbp of Canturbury, Lord Delmar 
Lord Chancellor, Mr. Vice Chamberlin, Duke of Richmond, Mr. Chancellor of the 



GANNETT.] MASSACHTISETTS. 57 

Exchequer, Duke of Newcastle, Harry Pelhain esq. Earl of Winchelsea, Thomas 
Winnington, esq., Earl of Wilmington, George Wade, esq.. Lord Cartaret. 

Upon reading this day at the Board the humble Petition and appeale of His 
Majesty's Province of the Massachusetts Bay in New England from the determina- 
tion of the commissioners appointed by His Majesty t(j settle the Boundary of the 
Colony of Rhode Island Eastwards, with the said province of Massachusetts Bay and 
humbly praying that a day may be appointed for hearing the said appeale, and that 
the determination of the said commissionera may be reversed, and such other deter- 
mination made instead thereof as shall 1)6 agreeable to the petioners' claim exhibited 
before the said commissioners — It is ordered by his Majesty in council that the said 
petition and aj)peale (a copy whereof is hereunto annexed) be and it is liereby 
referred to the Right Honorable the Lords of the committee in council for hearing 
appeals from the Plantations to hear the same and report their opinion thereupon to 
His Majesty at the Board. 

A true copv. 

I. B. LENNARD. 

Collated with the original entry in the Council Registry, 18 of Jan'y, 1845. 

ROBT. LEMON. 

[Ordered in coiincil, dated '2!Sth May, 174r). Council office. Council Register. Geo. II, No. 10, i>. 493.] 

At the Court of Kensington, 

the 28lh day of May, 1746. 

Present the Kings Most Excellent Majesty in Council 

Upon reading at the Board a Report from the Right Honourable the Lord of the 
committee of council for hearing appeals from the Plantations dated the 11th of 
December, 1744, in the words following vizt. 

Your Majesty having been pleased by Your Order in council of the 29th of July, 
1742, to refer unto this committee the humble petition and appeale of the Governor 
and company of the English Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations in 
New England in America, from several particular parts of the determination of the 
commissioners appointed by your Majesty to settle the Boundarys of said colony 
eastwards with the Province of Massachusetts Bay and humbly praying that the 
particular parts of the said commissioners' determination appealed from may be 
reversed, and such other determinations made instead thereof, as shall be agreeable 
to the true construction of the Boundarys continued in the Royal Charter under 
which the petitions claim — and your Majesty having been also pleased by another 
order in council of the 15th of September, 1742, to refer unto this committee the 
humble Petition and appeal of your Majesty's Province of the Massachusetts Bay in 
New England parte of the said determination of the said commissioners, and huml)ly 
praying that the same may be reversed and set aside and that instead thereof Your 
Majesty will be graciously pleased to give such judgment and determinations as shall 
be agreeable to the petitioners' claim exhibited before the said commissioners. The 
Lords of the committee in obedience to your Majesty's said orders of Reference, have 
met several times, and taken both the said Petitions of Appeale into their consider- 
ation, and having examined into the Proceedings of the said commissioners, do find 
that they pronounced their judgements or determination on the 30th of June, 1741, in 
the words following: 

The court took into consideration, the charters. Deeds and other Evidences, Claims 
Pleas and allegations produced and made by parts refering to the controversy before 
them and after mature advisement, came to the following Resolutions: That there 
is not any one Evidence proving that the Water between the Main Land on the East, 
and Rhode Island on the West, was ever at any time called Naragansett River, 
that though there be evidence that the place where the Indian called King Philip 
lived near Bristol, was called Pawconoket, and that another place near Swanzey 



58 BOUNDARIES OF THE UNITED STATER. • [Bri.L.226. 

was culled Sowanis or Sowainsett, yet no evidence has been produced of the extent 
(jf the I'awconoket country to Seaconk, or Pawtucket River, a.s it runs to the line of 
the lati' Colony of the MassachusettH Bay, for tho' there be some evidence that the 
Indians at enmity with King riiilii), or with other Indians in enmity with him, lived 
on the west side of the said River, and that the Indians subject to Kinjj; I'liilip, or in 
amity with him, lived on the East side of the said Rivvr there is no Evidence that 
all the Indians subject to, or in amity with King Philip, lived in the Pawconoket 
Country. That the Province not having produced the Letters Patent, constituting the 
council of Plymouth, nor any copy thereof, the Recital of said Letters Patent in the 
deed from the council of Plymouth, to Pradfonl and his associates, is not sufHcdent 
eviilence .igainst the Kings Charter. That the council of Plymouth being a Corpora- 
tion, could not create another corporation, and that no .Turisdiction within the Kings 
Dominions in America canbehtldby Prescription or on the Foot of Prescrijition. 
That the deternnnation of the boundarys of the colony's of Rhode Island and New 
Plymouth ))y the Kings Commissioners in the year 1()()4 appear to have l>een only a tem- 
porary order for preserving the Peace on the P>orders of l)oth Colonys without deter- 
mining the Rights and Titles of either. Upon the whole nothing appears whcreljy the 
Colony of Rhode Island and Providence plantations can be barred or hindered from ex- 
tending their Jurisdiction Eastward towards the Province of the Massachusetts Bay 
according to the true intents and meaning of their charter. But some dispute having 
arisen Ix'tween the Partys as to the true construction and meaning thereof, the cotirt 
is of opinion. That the Narragansett Bay is and extendeth itself from Point Judith in 
the west to Seaconet Point on the East and including the Islands therein, layeth and 
extendeth itself unto the mouth of the River which runnith towards the town of 
Providence and that as it so lies or extends, it has and may be considered as having 
one Eastern Side as the Eastern coast of the said Bay runs up northerly from Seconets 
Point, — and one other North Eastern Side from near Mount Hope to Bullocks Neck, 
as the said Bay runs up North Westerly towards the Town of Providence and that 
the land adjacent to the said North Eastern and Eastern Coasts and including within 
the following lines and the said Bay are within the Jurisdiction of the Colony of 
Rhode Island; Vizt on the North East side of the said Bay — one line running from 
the south west corner of Bullocks Neck, Northeast three Miles. One other line run- 
ning from the Northeast extremity of the said line until it be terminated l)y a line 
three miles Northeast from the northeasternmost part of the Bay on the west side of 
Rumstick Neck, and one other line from the termination of the west line to the Bay 
at or near Towoset Neck, running so that it touch the North East extremity of a line 
running three miles North East from the North East corner of Bristol Harbour, and 
on the Eastern side of the said Bay; One line from a certain point on the Eastern 
side of the said Bay opposite to the southernmost i)art of the Shawmuts Neck, and 
four hundred and forty Rods to the Soutli wards of the ]\Iouth of Fall River running 
East three miles; One other line running from tlu^ Easternmost extremity of the said 
line till it be terminated by the Easternmost end of a line three miles East from the East- 
ernmost part of a cove in the said Bay which is to the southward of Nawciuaket and 
one other line from the termination of the last line to the sea, running on such course, 
as to be three miles East from the Easternmost part of the Bay adjoining to Scitchu- 
west on Rhode Island, and that the said Distances of three miles East and Northeast, 
are to be measured from high Water Mark, and this court doth hereby settle, adjust 
and determine, that the Eastern Boundary of the said Colony of Rhode Island and 
Providence Plantations, towards the Massachusetts Bay, is, shall be and runs from 
a certain Pointe (where a Meridian line passing tlirough Pav/tuckets Falls, cuts 
the South Boundary of the Colony of Massachusetts Bay), south to Pawtuckets 
Falls, Then southerly along the eastward side of Seaconk River, and the River 
which runnith towards the Town of Providence, to the Southwest corner of P>ullock's 
Neck, then Northeast three miles; and then along the aforesaid lines running at three 



GANNETT] MASSACHUSETTS. 59 

niik'S distance from the Easteruinu.st 2)art,s of the said Bay to tiiesai^l l)a\', al or near 
Towoset Neck. Then as the said Bay runs to the southernmost point of Shawnmts 
Neck, and then in a straight line to the aforesaid point opposite to the said Neck. 
Then East three miles and then along the aforesaid lines, running at three miles dis- 
tance from the Easternmost jiarts of the said Bay, to the sea. All which lines are to 
be run by making the proi)er allowance for the variation of the Magnetic Needle from 
the Meridian. And for the better understanding of the description of the lines before 
mentioned; the Court hath caused the Boundary lines of the lands adjacent to the 
said most eastern and Northeastern points of the Said Bay, to l)e delineated on tlie 
Map or Plan of the said Bay and countries adjacent now in court, and the same are 
distinguished on the said Map or Plan, by A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H. 

The Lord of the Committee having considered the whole matter and heard all par- 
tys concerned therein by their Council learned in the Law, Do agree humbly to report 
to your Majesty as their opinion. That the said Judgment or determination of the said 
Coiumissioners should be affirmed and both the Petitions of Appeal therefrom 
dismissed. 

His Majesty this day took the said Report into consideration and was pleased with 
the advice of the Privy Council to approve thereof, and to order, that the said Judg- 
ment or Deterniination of the said Commissioners, Be, and it is hereby Affirmed And 
both the said Petitions of Appeal therefrom dismissed. 

Whereof the Covernor or the Commander in Chief of liis Majesty's Province of the 
Massachusetts Bay, The Governor and Company of the colony of Ehode Island and 
Providence Plantations for the time being, and all otliers whom it may concern, are 
to take notice and govern themselves accordingly. 

A true CoDy. 

I. P>. LENNARD. 

Collated with the Original entry in the Council Register, 18 Jaimary, 1745. 

ROBT. LEMON. 

Under the foregoing decree the line was run b}' coninii.ssioners 
appointed for the purpose, whose report was as follow^s, viz: 

AVe, the subscribers, appointed commissioners by the general assembly of the 
colony aforesaid, to mark out the Ijounds of said colony eastward towards the prov- 
ince of Massachusetts Bay, agreeable to His Majesty's royal determniation in council, 
the 28th day of May, 174(), did in pursuance thereof, on the second day of December 
last past, meet at Pawtucket Falls, in expectation of meeting with commissioners that 
might be appointed by the i)ro'vince of the Massachusetts Bay, for the purpose afore- 
said; and after having there tarried till the afterpart of said day, and no commis- 
sioners in behalf of the said province appearing, we proceeded to run a due north line 
from Pawtucket Falls to the south boundary of the aforesaid province of the Massa- 
chusetts Bay, in manner following, viz: From a certain point on the southern side of 
Pawtucket Falls, where we erected a monument of stones, with a stake thereon, we 
run a meridian line which directly passed through said falls, to a walnut tree on the 
northerlj^ side of said falls; then to a pitch pine tree; then to a small white oak; 
then to a grey oak; then to a small bush; then to another small bush with stones 
about it; then to a heap of stones with a stake thereon; then to a black oak tree; 
then to another Ijlack oak; then to a small pitch pine; then to a black oak; thou to 
a large white oak near the river, called Abbot's Run; then to a poplar tree; then to 
a heap of stones with a stake thereon; then to a large rock witli stones thereon; tiien 
to a small black oak tree; then to a walnut tree; then to a black oak; then to divers 
other marked trees in the said course, to the extremity of said line; and when we 
came near the termination of the said line made a monument of stones; there being 
no noted south boundary of the said province near the said line, and therefore, for 



60 BOUNDAEIES OF THE UNITED STATES. [BT!u,.22e. 

till' (lisiM)Vciry t)f the goutli ))()ini(lary of thu said province, upon tlie l)eMt iiiloniiation 
we could o])tain, proceeded to Wrentliani Plain, at or near to a place where was for- 
merly erected a stake, called Woodward's and Saffery's stake, as one remarkable 
south boundary of the said province, and from thence run a west line, making an 
allowance of eight degrees and a half as the west variation of the magnetic needle 
from the true meridian, it being the course of the south line of the said province, 
according to their charter (as we apprehended), and then we extended the said 
north line from the aforesaid monument till it intersected the said Avest line, and 
upon the i)oint of its intersection erected a monument of stones with a stake thereon, 
as the northeast boundary of that tract of land commonly called the Gore. 

After which we proceeded to Bullock's Neck, and on the southeast corner thereof 
erected a red cedar post, marked with the letters J. H. C. R., with the figure of an 
anchor thereon, and from thence running a line northeast, making the same allowance 
for the variation aforesaid, to a black oak tree marked with the letters G. C. C. R., 
then to a large white oak marked with the letters G. B. C. R., then to a white oak 
post, set in the ground with aheap of stones around it, marked Avith the letters G.W 
C. R., with the figure of an anchor thereon, being three miles distant from Bullock's 
Neck aforesaid. 

After which we proceeded to the northeasternmost part of the bay on the west side 
of Rumstick Neck, and from a point where a locust post was erected run a line three 
miles northeast, with the same allowance for the variation and at the extremity of 
the said line erected a monument of stones, from which we run a line to the north- 
east extremity of that line drawn from the southwest corner of Bullock's Neck afore- 
said, the course whereof being west thirty-eight degrees north, according the magnetic 
needle, the distance of nine hundred and fifty-five rods, marking trees and making 
other boundaries in the course of said line. After which we proceeded to the north- 
east corner of Bristol Harbour, and from high-water mark, which was some rods dis- 
tant northeast from the bridge leading to Swanzey Ferry, we ran a line three miles 
northeast, still making the same allowance for the variation, and at the extremity of 
which line we erected a monument of stones; then we ran a line from the northeast 
extremity of the line drawn from Rumstick aforesaid, the course whereof being south 
twenty-five degrees east, till it met with the termination of the line drawn from 
Bristol Harbour aforesaid, the distance whereof being nine hundred and twenty- 
seven rods; and from thence to a straight line to the bay at Towoset Neck, making 
proper boundaries in the course of said line. 

After which we proceeded to the eastern side of the Narragausett Bay, and on the 
easternmost part of a cove in the said bay, which is southward of Nanequachet, ran 
a line three miles east (still making the same allowance for variation), at the extrem- 
ity whereof we marked a grey oak tree with the letters C. R., with the figure of an 
anchor thereon. 

After which we proceeded to the mouth of Fall River, and from thence measured 
four hundred and forty rods southerly on the shore, as the said shore extendeth 
itself from the mouth of said Fall River, and from the point where the said four 
hundred and forty rods reached, being east thirty-five degrees south of the southern- 
most point of Shawomet Neck, we ran a line three miles east, with the same allow- 
ance for the variation; in the course whereof we marked divers trees, and came to a 
large pond, on the west of which was a small oak between two large rocks, and from 
thence measured over the said pond to a bmich of maples, two whereof we marked 
with the letters I and F, standing on a place called Ralph's Neck, being the extrem- 
ity of the said three miles; from thence we ran a line south twenty degrees west, two 
thousand one hundred and twenty-three rods (making proper boundaries in said 
line) , till we met the termination of the three-mile line, ran from the cove southward 
of Nane(iuachet aforesaid. 

After which we proceeded to a place called Church's Cove, in said bay, and ran a 




WVHiN3UAA! OHOSlliXV HIUON 



^ A N D 



XJ^ 




GANNETT] MASSACHUSETTS. 61 

line three niile.s east, making the same allowance for the variation aforesaid, and at 
the extremity whereof, and near the sea, we erected a monument of stones, and from 
thent-e ran a line north two degrees and a quarter east, one thousand and nine hun- 
dred and forty-one rods, till it also met the termination of the said line, drawii from 
the first mentioned cove as aforesaid, making jiroper boundaries in the course of said 
line. 

The aforegoing is a just account of our proceediugs, and report the same accord- 
ingly. 

J. HONEYMAN, Jr. 

GEORGE WANTON. 

GIDEON CORNEJ.L. 

GEORGE BROWN. 
And it is voted and resolved. That the said report be, and it is hereby, accepted by 
this assembly. 

In the year 1748 the legislature of Rhode Island appointed connnis- 
sioncr.s to continue the line to the Connecticut corner, recognizing- the 
Woodward and Saffre}' stake as the place of beginning. Massachu- 
setts failed to appoint commissioners, whereupon the Rhode Island 
commissioners proceeded to complete the running of the line. In their 
report the}'^ say — 

That we not being able to find any stake or other monument which we could 
imagine set up by Woodward and Saffrey, but considering that the place thereof was 
described in the agreement mentioned in our commission, by certain invariable 
marks, we did proceed asfolloweth, namely: We found a place where Charles River 
formed a large current southerly, which place is known to many by the name of 
Pappatalish Pond, which we took to be the southernmost part of said river, from 
tln' southernmost part of which we measured three English miles soutli, which three 
Engli-h miles did terminate upon a plain in a township called Wrentham. (See 
Howard's Rei)orts !^. C, vol. 4, page 632). 

From this point the}' ran the line. From this time forward repeated 
steps were taken by Rhode Island by resolutions, and by appointment 
of commissioners at different times to ascertain and run the line, in 
connection with commissioners from IMassachusetts; conunissioners 
from both colonies met more than once, but the}' failed to agree upon 
a boundarj' in place of that established under the agreements of 
1711-'18. Rhode Island alleged a mistake in her commissioners, in 
the place of beginning (that is, on AVrentham Plain), as the ground of 
these efforts. 

This controversy, however, embraced the entire line from the State 
of Connecticut to the Atlantic Ocean. Massachusetts asserted that an 
encroachment had been made on her territory from Burnt Swamp 
Corner to the ocean by Rhode Island, who, on her part, claimed that 
the jurisdictional line of ISIassachusetts from said corner to the Con- 
necticat line was, in its whole extent, upon the territory of Rhode 
Island. The legislatures of the respective States having failed, after 
repeated effort, to adjust the controversy, Rhode Island in 1832, by a 
bill in equity, brought the subject of the northern boundary, from 
Burnt Swamp Corner to the Connecticut line, before the Supreme 
Bull. 226—04 7 



62 BOUNDARIES OF THE UNITED STATES. [Rri.L.226. 

Court of the United States, which in 1.S4<> decided thut the jurisdic- 
tional line claimed })y Mas.sachusetts was the lej^ad l)<)uiidiiry of the 
two States ])etw(HMi tliese points. 

While this suit Avas pendin*;' an attempt was made to settle the long 
controversy by an amicable adjustment of the whole line from Connecti- 
cut to the ocean. Connnissioners were appointed })y both States in 1844 
to ascertain and mark the true boundary from Pawtucket Falls to Bul- 
lock Neck. In 1845 the same connnissioners were authorized to ascer- 
tain the line from Burnt Swamp Corner to the Atlantic Ocean. 

In 1846, the equit}' suit having been decided, they were authorized 
"to erect suitable monuments at the prominent angles of the line, from 
the Atlantic Ocean to the northwest corner of Rhode Island, and at such 
other points on the line as may subserve the public conveidence." A 
majority of said commissioners agreed upon a line and erected monu- 
ments in 1847. 

The report of the joint commission Avas dated Boston, January' 13, 
1848. 

The line so agreed upon as a boundary between Burnt Swamp Corner 
and the northwest corner of Rhode Island was a straight line, varying 
a little from the irregular jurisdictional line established by the decision 
of the Supreme Court, and is described in the joint report of the majority 
of the connnissioners of January, 1848, as follows, viz: 

Begin at tlie northwest corner of Rhode Island, on Connecticut line, in latitude 42° 
00^ 29'^ north, and longitude 71° 48' 18''' west of Greenwich, thence easterly in a straight 
line 21.512 miles to Burnt Swami> Corner, in Wrentham, being in latitude 42° 01' 08" 
and longitude 71° 23' 13". 

Upon this line were placed twenty-seven monuments, exclusive of that 
at Burnt Swamp Corner. 

The general assembly of Rhode Island, in May, 1847, ratified and 
established the line from the ocean to the Connecticut line, "to take 
eti'ect and become binding whenever the said agreement and boundary 
line should be ratified b}^ the State of Massachusetts.'' The legislature 
of Massachusetts did not ratify tlie said agreement antl Ijoinidary line, 
but proposed another joint commission, which was agreed to. 

The attempt made by these commissioners to settle the line having 
failed, Massachusetts commenced a bill in cijuity before the Supreme 
Court of the United States for an adjudication of the boundary line from 
Burnt Swamp Corner to the Atlantic Ocean. 

In 1860 both States agreed upon a conventional line, and asked that 
a decree of the United States Supreme Court should confirm the same, 
which prayer was granted, and the line was thus tinallj'^ established by 
a decree rendered in the December term, 1861, which is as follows, viz: 

Beginning at Burnt Swamp Corner (so called), in Wrentham, in latitude 42° 01' 08" 
north, longitude 71° 23' 13" west of Greenwich, being the northeasterly corner of 
Rhode Island. 



CANNETT.j MASSACHUSETTS. G3 

Thence in a straight line to the center of a stone monument in the division Hne, 
between Attleborough and Pawtucket, on the easterly bank of the Blackstone River, 
being in latitude 41° 53' 36'^ north, longitude 71° 23' 14'' west. 

Thence easterly, by the northerly line of the town of Pawtucket, to a point where 
said line intersects the highest water mark on the easterly side of Farmer's or Seven 
Mile River, which point is sliown on accompanying sheet marked "A," and desig- 
nated as "Bound No. 1," being in latitude 41° 53' 54" north, longitude 71° 20' 40" 
west. 

From Bound No. 1 the line runs southerly, following the highest water mark on 
the easterly side of Farmer's or Seven Mile River, as designated in said sheet marked 
"A," to its junction with the highest water mark on the southerly and easterly side 
of Ten Mile River, at a point designated as "Bound No. 3." 

From Bound No. 3 the line runs southerly, following the highest water mark on 
the southerly and easterly side of said Ten Mile River, as shown on sheet marked 
"A," to a point designated as "Bound No. 13," said last point being at the most 
southerly bend of Ten Mile River in said line of highest water mark. 

The line of "highest water mark" as shown on Sheet A is defined by offsets at 
right angles to straight lines shown on said plan in blue ink, from Bound No. 1, and 
passing through points designated as bounds numbered 2 to 13, inclusive. 

From Bound No. 13 the line runs southeasterly, being a straight line to the center 
of a stone pier in the middle of Runnin's River, on the north side of the road leading 
by Luther's store. 

Thence through the center or middle of said Runnin's River as the same is at low 
water at a point when such line intersects the dividing line between Barrington and 
Seekonk, being in latitude 41° 46' 28", longitude 71° 19' 23". 

Thence northeasterly, following the dividing line between Barrington and See- 
konk, to a point at the northerly extremity of the dividing line between Barrington 
and Swanzey, in latitude 41° 36' 34", longitude 71° 19' 30". 

Thence in a straight line southeasterly to the center of a copper bf)lt in King's 
Ro(;k, so called and well known, near an ancient monument on said King's Rock, 
being on the west side of the road leading from Warren to Swanzey. This point is 
in latitude 41° 45' 22".98, longitude 71° 16' 35".75. 

From King's Rock the line follows the dividing line between Warren and Swanzey 
to Mount Hope Bay, rurming in a stright line southeasterly to a point on the Birch 
Swamp Farm, in latitude 41° 45' 08", longitude 71° 15' 58".5. 

Thence in a straight line to Mount Hope Bay, passing through the center of a cop- 
per bolt in a bowlder, in line of extreme high water at Toweset, to low-water line of 
said bay. This bolt is in latitude 41° 42' 45".27, longitude 7-1° 13' 54".70. 

From Toweset the line runs southeasterly, crossing Mount Hope Bay, to the west- 
erly end of line dividing Fall River and Tiverton, where the same intersects low-water 
line of said Mount Hope Bay. 

Thence easterly, following said dividing line between Fall River and Tiverton, 
passing through the middle of a town w'ay on the north side of farm belonging to 
John Chase, and through the southerly end of Cool's Pond, in a line passing through 
the middle of a highway eight rods wide. 

Thence running southerly through the center of said eight-rod highway to a point 
in line with the stone wall on northerly side of farm of Edmund Estes. This wall is 
easterly of the Stafford road (so called). 

Thence running easterly in line with said wall to a point in line of highest water- 
mark on the westerly shore of South Watuppa Pond, which point is shown on accom- 
panying sheet marked "B," and designated as "Bound A." 

From Bound A the line runs southerly, following the highest watermark on 
westerly side of South Watuppa Pond, and of Sawdy Pond, and of the streams con- 
necting said ponds, as shown on said sheet marked " B, " to a point designated as 



04 B(JUI^L>AKIES OF THE UNITKI) STATES. [Hri,i,.22G. 

" Bdiirid F," said last point being at the most southerly <'nil of Sawdy I'ond in said 
line (if lii;;liest water mark. 

The line of "highest watermark" as shown on sheet li is defined l)y offsets at 
right angles to straight lines from Bound A, and i)assing respectively through points 
di'signated "B" to "F," inclusive, and on the tSouth Watuppa Pond is also the line 
that would he traced ])y a level thirteen inches ahove a bolt in stonework on 
westerly side of waterway in gatehouse of reservoir dam of ^^'atuppa Reservoir 
Company, Ciueipiechau River. On 8awily Pond tlu' highest watermark is the line 
that would be traced by the level of an iron bolt driven in west side of liume to saw- 
mill at northerly end of said Bawdy Pond. 

From Bound F the line runs southeasterly, being a straight line to the monnnu-nt 
known as "Joe Sanford's bound," being the center of a copper l)olt in stone on land 
of Joseph Tripp, and is in latitude 41° 35^ 37'^ longitude 71° 08^ 13'^ 

From Joe Sanford's bound the line runs southerly, following the westerly line of 
the town of Westport to the Atlantic Ocean, passing easterly of (Quicksand Pond 
through the center of a bound known as Peaked Rock, situated in latitude 41° 2!t' 5iS''', 
longitude 71° 07^ 34'^ 

The first point in this line southerly of Sanford's bound is on the north side of 
niilldam at Adamsville, 85.58 feet easterly of straight line from Sanford's to Peaked 
Rock. 

The second is 113.94 feet easterly of said straight line, and is on the easterly side 
of road leading from Adamsville to the ocean. 

The third is 234.48 feet east of said straight line, on the road leading to Little 
Compton, l)y Philip Simmons' house. 

The whole of the line thus described is shown on a plan herewith presented, 
which, with sketches A and B, is made a part of this report and attested. 

It will bo observed that the above decree of the United States 
Supreme Court makes no reference to the line from Burnt Swamp 
Corner to the Connecticut line. 

It will also be remembered {vide p. 62) that the "line of 1848," so 
called, was ratitied b}^ Rhode Island and rejected by Massachusetts. 
In 18(36 the legislature of Massachusetts took action in regard to this 
portion of the line, as follows, viz: 

Resolved, That the boundary line between the State of Rhode Island and tlie Com- 
monwealth of Massachusetts, from the line of the State of Connecticut to Burnt 
Swamj) Corner, begins at the north west corner of the State of Rhode Island on the 
Connecticut line, in latitude 42° 00^ 2W' north, and longitude 74° 48' 18^' west of 
Greenwich, « and runs in a straight line 21 and jVq-j miles to Burnt Swamp Corner, 
in Wrentham, being in latitude 42° V %" and longitude 71° 23^ 13''. 

This is the line agreed upon by the commissioners, called the "line 
of 1848,'"' ratified at the time by Rhode Island, but rejected by Mas- 
sachusetts. 

The tardy ratification of the line by Massachusetts was, in its turn, 
rejected by Rhode Island, on the ground that the then recent settle- 
ment of the eastern boundary by the decree of the Supreme Court had 
so changed the aspect of the controversy that she could not consent 
to the adoption of the line of 1848 as her northern boundary. 

aThis is a clerical error. "Longitude 74° 48' 18"" should read "longitude 71° 48' 18"." {Vide 
Borden's Tables, p. 64.) 



GANNETT.] M ASSACHUSETT g. 65 

Thus the northern boundary of lihode Island was left in a))eyance, 
or rather left in the condition prescribed by the decision of 184(1 

]n Juno, ISSO, the leg-jslature of Rhode Island passed a resolution to 
remove the monuments of the "line of iSlS" and erect monuments on 
the jurisdictional line. 

In ISSl the legislature of Massachusetts took like action. 

This jurisdictional line has the same termini as the line of 1848, but 
is a ver}^ irregular line, sometimes running north of a direct line and 
sometimes falling south of it [the extreme variations ])eing 52!>.3 feet 
north of the line of 184S, and 129 feet south of the same]. A full and 
detailed description ma}^ be found in Rhode Island Acts, May, 1867, 
p. 6 et seq. 

Also, vide Senate Document N6. 14, Massachusetts, 1848, for a full 
account of this controvers}-. 

In 1718, commissioners from the province of Massachusetts Bay and 
Colony of Connecticut settled a line between Massachusetts and Con- 
necticut. 

By this line certain northern frontier towns were given to Massa- 
chusetts, viz, Woodstock, Suffield, Enfield, and Somers, In 1749 the 
legislature of Connecticut passed a resolution that, inasmuch as the 
line had not been approved by the King, and that the two colonies had 
no legal right to transfer territory without the confirmation of the 
Crown, the contract was void, and these towns were again taken under 
the jurisdiction of Connecticut. Massachusetts appealed to the King, 
and the claims of Connecticut were fully established. (See HoUister's 
History of Connecticut, Vol. II.) 

In 1791 Massachusetts and Connecticut appointed commissioners to 
establish the boundary between them, but the}" were unal)le to agree. 

In 1803 conmiissioners were appointed to complete the line, a com- 
promise having been made concerning the line between the town of 
Southwick and the towns of Suffield and Granby (the cause of the dis- 
agreement of the former commissioners). 

The agreement made was as follows, viz: 

That the line should begin from a station 8 rods south of the southwest corner of 
West Springfield, and thence run west to the large ponds, and thence southerly by 
those ponds to the ancient south line of Westfield, and from thence on said south 
line to the ancient southwest corner of Westfield; and from thence northerly in the 
ancient west line of Westfield to the station in said west line made by commissioners 
in the year 1714, and from thence to the southwest corner of Granville. (See Mass. 
Special Laws, Vol. Ill, page 234.) 

In 1803 the commissioners. surveyed and marked the boundary be- 
tween their respective States. 

Their report, which was adopted, is as follows, viz: 

Beginning at the northeast corner of Suffield and the southeast corner of West 
Springfield, on the west bank of Connecticut River, at a point 75 links northward of 



66 BOUNDARIES OF THE UNITED STATES. [bull. 226. 

tlie renter of a small valley rnnniiiji into said river, said pf)int being between a small 
butternut tree, marked i\I.('., staiidinf^ on tlie sontli, and a small crooked wbite oak, 
marked M., standin}; on tlie north, about two feet di.stant from each other, and then 
run north 82° 45' west 1 cliain to a stone monument erected by us there; in the same 
course 22 chains 25 links to a stone monument on the stage road frf)m Springfield to 
Sufiield, and said course continued would pass two feet north of Smith's house; 
thence north 82° we.st 82 chains 3 links to a stone monument on the middle road from 
Sutfield to Springtield; then in the same course 13 chains 30 links to a large black or 
red oak tree, marked on the east side C. , and on the west side M., being an ancient 
bound; thence north 77° V west 134 chains 42 links to a stone monument on the road 
from Feeding Hills meetinghouse to Sufiield; thence in the same course 4 chains 21 
links to a pine stump — an old monument; thence north 79° 48' west 102 chains 80 links 
to a stone monument on the road from Westfield to Suffield, called the back street; 
thence north 81° 30' west 61 chains 20 links to a stone monument at an old stump and 
stones, the ancient southwest corner of W^^^ Springtield; thence south 5° west 2 
chains to a stone monument in the line run by connnissioners in 1714; thence north 
85° west 167 chains 33 links to a stone monument at the middle pond, 22 links east of 
low-water mark, being at the center of a little valley running into said pond; thence 
on the eastern shore of said pond, as the same runs southerly, to a sluiceway or outlet 
from said pond to the south pond; thence southerly on the east shore of the south pond 
as the same runs to a stone monument at high-water mark on the south corner of said 
pond, being the south end of the most southerly bay thereof, from which the point of 
land beyond the bay on the east side of the pond bears north 29° east, and the high point 
beyond the bay on the west side of the pond is north 3° 30' east; then south 10° 20' west 
24 chains 78 links to a stone monument at the southeast corner of Southwick, in the 
ancient south line of Westfield, from which the highest peak of Manatick Mountain 
bears south 42° 30' west; thence south 87° 30' west 33 chains 86 links to a heap of stones 
in a hedge, being an ancient monument in the south line of Westfield and the north- 
west corner of Sufiield, adjoining (xranby; thence in said ancient south line of West- 
field the same course to a stone monument at a white oak stump, an old monument, 
the southwest corner of Southwick, being 174 chains 36 links; thence north 10° 20' 
east 212 chains 84 links to a stone monument erected by us, at a place in the ancient 
west line of Westfield, where commissioners in 1714 established the monument called 
the Crank monument; thence north 82° 17' west 137 chains to a stone monument 
erected by us at the east road from Granby to Granville; in this course, at the distance 
of 86 chains 20 links from the Crank monument, we passed between two pillars of 
stones 45 links south of one and 13 links north of the other, both said to be the south- 
east corner of Granville; thence on the same course 61 chains 40 links to a stone 
monument erected by us on the Granby turnpike road; thence in the same course 44 
chains to a white oak« tree, marked by commissioners in 1717, and which we marked 
M on the north side and C, 1803, on the south side; thence north 84° 24' west 5 chains 
13 links to a stone monument erected by us on the west road from Granby to Gran- 
ville; thence in the same course 200 chains 37 links to a white elm stump and stones 
on the west bank of Valley Brook, so called, a monument, made by commissioners in 
1717 in this (!ourse three monuments are mentioned by said commissioners, which we 
do not find; thence north 85° 7' west 60 chains 15 links to a stone monument erected 
by us at a new road near the east bank of Hubbard River; thence the same course 2 
chains to dry hemlock tree with stones about it on the west side of said river near a 
small fall and a rock on the east side of said river stooping towards it more than 2 
rods to a monument erected by said former commissioners; thenc ' north 82° 52' west 
109 chains 35 links to a stone monument b erected by us on the road from Granville 

« Oak-tree boundary at Granville, marked in 1717. 
ft Boundary stone in we.st front of Granville. 



GAXNF.TT.] MASSACHUSETTS. 67 

to Ilartland; thence the same course 275 chains !)l links to a larij(» heap of stones on 
the west bank of Slocnni Brook between two hemlock trees, having many ancient 
and modern marks tliereon, being a monument made by said former commissioners 
(in this course tiie commissioners of 1717 made mention of a large hendock tree, and a 
very large white-ash tree which we do not find); thence north 81° 50^ west 98 chains 
74 links to a stone monument erected by us on the Beach-hill road, so called; thence 
in the same course 2o5 chains to a stone monument erected l)y us at a heap of stones 
about an elm tree standing on the west bank of Sandy Brook, a monument made by 
said former commissioners, who mentioned in their report a monument in this course, 
which we do not find; thence north 82° 11^ west 357 chains 30 links to a stone mon- 
ument erected by us on the road from Marlborough to Norfolk; thence same course 
38 chains 20 links to a monument made l)y said former commissioners on the west 
bank of Whiting River, near falls, being a heap of flat stones on a large rock; thence 
north 82° 9' west 219 chains to a stone monument at the end of Greenwood Tm-npike 
road (in this course said former commissioners marked Iwmt trees, which we do not 
find) ; thence in the same course 161 chains 75 links to a stone momiment at the Bur- 
rell road, so called, leading from Canaan to Suffield; thence in the same course 49 
chains to an elm tree, with stones near it, on the east bank of Housatonic River, 
about six rods west from a chestnut stump and stones, a monument made by said 
former commissioners, who also marked a white oak tree in this course which we do 
not find; thence north 82° 52^ west 20 chains 50 links to a stone monument erected 
by US at the road leading from Salisbury to Sheffield, called Wetany road; thence 
m the same course 119 chains 50 links to a stone monument erected by us at the 
road from Salisbury to Sheffield, near Ebenezer Fletcher's house; thence on the 
same course 211 chains 35 links to a stone momiment erected by us at the mountain 
road from Salisbury t(^ Shetheld; thence on the same course 28 chains 4 links to a 
monument established by said former commissioners at the foot of the mountain, 
being a heap of stones on a large rock, 20 links long on the northeasterly side, 5 feet 
high on the southerh' side, and which we marked 1803 on the southerly side; thence 
north 85° 30^ west 147 (-hains 20 links to a stone monument erected by us on the road 
from Salisbury to Mount Washington; thence on the same course 81 chains 80 links 
to a large heap of stones, the oblong corner bounds, so called, between the State of 
Connecticut and New York. 

******* 
The courses of said line as before given, and here by us are according to the pres- 
ent state of magnetic needle, which we observed to vary 5° west of north. (See 
Private laws of Conn., vol. 2, pages 1540 to 1544.) 

ABSTR.AtT OF" REPORT OP COMMISSION OP 1803 ON nOUNDARY BETWEEN MASSACHUSETTS 
AND CONNECTICUT WEST OP THE rONNECTIClIT RIVER. 

Beginning at a point on the west bank of Connecticut River, in latitude 42° OK 
52^''.10, longitude 72° 37^ 03'^4(), and running north 82° 45' west 22 chains 25 links; 
thence north 82° Avest 95 chains 33 links; thence north 77° V west 138 chains 63 
links; thence north 79° 48' west 102 chains 80 links; thence north 81° 30' west 61 
chains 20 links; thence south 5° west 2 chains; thence north 85° west 167 chains 33 
links to a stone monument at the middle pond, 22 links east of low-water mark, lati- 
tude 42° 02' 11", longitude 72° 45' 45". 07; thence southerly along the east shore of 
said pond, and also south pond, to a stone monument at high-water mark, at the south 
corner of said south ponc^; thence soutli 10° 20' west 24 chains 78 links to a stone 
monument at southeast corner of South wick, which is in latitude 42° 00' 11".98, lon- 
gitude 72° 46' 24".23; thence south 87° 30' west 208 chains 22 links to a stone monu- 
ment at the southwest corner of South wick, which is in latitude 41° 59' 51".89, lon- 
gitude 72° 49' 25".47; thence north 10° 20' east 212 chains 84 links to a stone 
monument at the northwest corner of the South wick Jog, which is in latitude 42° 02' 



().S BOUNDARIES OP" THE ITNITED STATES. [mii.i,.22C. 

1L>^;!<», l()iijj;itii(l.> 72° 4!K ];r.ri]; ihvnco iiortli H2° 17' west 242 cliiiins 40 links to a 
wliitc oak tivo, luarkcd by fomniissioncrH in 1717, wliich in in latitmlc 42° 02' ]5".84, 
l(.ii<;itn(U' 72° 52' 47". 74; thence north 84° 24' west 205chainH 50 links; thence north 
85° 7' west ()2 chains 15 links; thence north 82° 52' -west lOi) cliains .'55 links to a 
stone monnnient in latitude 42° 02' 17".0P., longitude 72° 58' 22".52; thence north 82° 
52' west 275 diains 91 links; thence north 81° 45' west 70 chains; thence north 81° 
50' west 328 cliains 74 links to a stone monument, which is in latitude 42° 02' 31". 11, 
longitude 73° 07' 35".94; thence north 82° 11' west 395 chains 50 links; thence north 
82° 9' west 430 chains; thence north 82° 52' west 140 chains to a stone monument 
on the road from Salisburj' to Sliefheld, which is in latitude 42° 02' 58".ll, longitude 
73° 22' 55".27; thence north 82° 52' west 239 chains 39 links; thence north 85° 30' 
west 239 chains to the northwest corner of Connecticut, which is in latitude 42° 02' 
58".54, longitude 73° 30' 06".66. 

According' to the snrve}^ of the cession of l)Oston Corners, by Massa- 
chusetts to New York, in 1855, the south l)oiuulary of Massachusetts 
from the northwest corner of Connecticut to tlie southwest corner of 
Massachusetts is as follows, viz: 

A line running- north 89*^ 08' 4" west, 40 chains, ])y the true meridian. 

The courses of the line of 1803 are magnetic, with the variation as at 
that date, i. e. , 6° west. 

The latitudes and longitudes in the foregoing are taken from the 
Borden Trigonometrical Survey of Massachusetts of 1843. 

In 1826 the line between Massachusetts and Connecticut east of the 
Connecticut River was run by commissioners appointed from each 
State. An abstract of the commissioners' report is here given: 

Ahstraet of report ofcornrnlssioners of 1S26. — The commissioners first 
made the following surve}^: Commencing at the northeast corner of 
Connecticut, at a large pile of stones erected bj'^ commissioners of 1734; 
thence running due west on the latitude of 42" 3' north to the west 
line of Woodstock, 15 miles 169 rods 15 links. (This is hereafter 
referred to as the '"" first line of latitude.'') Thence north 3° west 54 
rods 19 links to an old pine tree, the reputed northeast corner of Union; 
thence due west 25 miles 168 rods to Connecticut River. (This line is 
hereinafter referred to as the "" second line of latitude,"' and the second 
line of latitude is 54 rods north of the first.) These lines of latitude 
were compared with the ancient survc}', monuments, evidence, etc., 
of the line run by the commissioners of 1713; the said lines of latitude 
were found to vary in sundry places therefrom. Therefore, in order 
to conform as near as possible to the line of 1713, the line was run as 
follows, viz: 

Beginning at the northeast corner of Connecticut and running west 
on "first line of latitude'" 1,702 rods and 4 links to the road to the 
Merino road; thence in a direct line 1,372 rods 20 links to the road 
leading from Muddy Brook, so called, by Fennel May's to Southbridge; 
this point is 21 rods 10 links north of the "first line of latitude;" thence 
in a direct line 360 rods 5 links to the Norwich and Woodstock turn- 
pike (this point is 20 rods and 5 links north of "first line of lati- 



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GANNETT] > MASSACHUSETTS. 69 

tude"); thence in a direct line 954 rods 18 links to the road leading 
from West Woodstock by Abel Mason's to Southbridge (this point is 
10 rods and 22 links north of '" first line of latitnde "); thence in a direct 
line 1,247 rods to the road leading from Union b\' Asher Bodgen's to 
Holland (this point is 2 rods 14f links south of "second line of lati- 
tude"); thence in a direct line 1,127 rods to the turnpike from Hert- 
ford, through Stati'ord and Holland, to Worcester (this point is ♦> rods 
23i links south of the "second line of latitude"); thence in a direct 
line 467 rods to an old white oak tree, an ancient bound, on the road 
from Statford by Robert Andruss' to South Brimfield (this point is 1 
rod 2 links south of "second line of latitude"); thence in a direct line 
of 1,615 rods to the road leading from Stafford by Henry Cady's to 
Monson (this point is 16 rods 15 links south of "second line of lati- 
tude"); thence in a direct line 256 rods to the Tracy road (this point 
is 12 rods 12 links south of "second line of latitude"); thence in a 
direct line 620 rods to the road leading from Stafford by Seth Shel- 
don's to South Wilbraham (this point is 14 rods 7 links south of 
"second line of latitude"); thence in a direct line 1,066 rods to the 
road from Somer's by Walter Ainsworth's to Springfield (this point is 
4 rods 1 Vink n&?'th of "second line of latitude"); thence in a direct 
line 523 rods to the road from Somer's b\ Abel Peas's to Springfield 
(this point is 6 rods 12 links south of the "second line of latitude"); 
thence due west 645 rods to the ancient line between Springfield (now 
Long Meadow) and P^nfield; thence sotith 80° 30' taest by the true 
meridian 645 rods to a monument at an old oak stump; thence south 
51° 30' west by the true meridian 164 rods 18 links to a monument at an 
old pine stump; thence due west 349 rods 15 links to a monument on the 
Connecticut River 12 rods from the shore; thence due west to the 
Connecticut River. On the line are erected 49 monument stones, 
marked on the north side M and on the south side C. 

The commissioners also surveyed and marked the line from the 
corner of Connecticut to the corner of Rhode Island, reporting as 
follows: 

Beginnir.g at the monument erected at the northeast corner of said State of Con- 
necticut and running in a direct Une to the ancient lieap of stones on the nortli side 
of the turnpike leading from Hertford to Boston, through Thompson and Douglass, 
where we erected a monument, and thence running in a direct line to the northwest 
corner of the State of Rhode Island. 

(For survey of 1826, see Private Laws of Conn., vol. 2, pages 1544 
to 1560.) 

The boundary between Massachusetts and New York at an early 
period became a subject of bitter dispute, New York claiming to the 
west bank of the Connecticut River, under the charters of 1664 and 
1674 to the Duke of York, Massachusetts claiming, under her old 
charters, to the South Sea. After many fruitless attempts at a settle- 



70 BOUNDARIES OF THK UNITED STATES. fBtM,.22(i. 

nioiil, an iiri:ino(>ni(Mit was ontorcHl into in 1TT3 tixinj^ the western 
l)onn(l;uT of Massachusetts whcMc it meets New York territory. The 
Revohition foIl()wini>' soon after, the line was not run. In iTSf) Con- 
g-ress appointed three commissioners to run the line, who performed 
that duty in ITlST. The line was as follows, viz: 

Beginninji; at a monuiiient erected in 17S1 by coinmipfiionerH from Connecticut and 
New York, distant from the Hudson River 20 miles, and running north 15° 12' 9", east 
50 miles 41 chainsand 79 Hnks, to a red or black oak tree marked by said commissioners, 
which said line was run as the magnetic needle pointed in 1787. ( Vide Revised Stat- 
utes of New York, 1875, p. 122. ) 

The claims of Massachusetts to western lands were finalh' settled 
December 16, lTS(j, b}- a joint commission of the two States. By this 
agreement Massachusetts surrendered the sovereignt}^ of the whole dis- 
puted territory to New York, and received in return the right of soil 
and preemption right of Indian purchase west of the meridian passing 
through the eightj^-second mile-stone of the Pennsj^lvania line, except- 
ing certain reservations upon Niagara River. The title to a tract known 
as "The Boston Ten Towns," lying east of this meridian, previousl}^ 
granted by Massachusetts, was also confirmed. ( Vide Hough's N. Y. 
Gaz., 1872, pp. 25, 26.) 

April 19, 1785, Massachusetts executed a deed to the United States. 
It included all title of the State of Massachusetts to territor}^ west of 
the present western boundary of New York. 

In 1820 Maine, hitherto a part of Massachusetts, was admitted into 
the Union as an independent State. 

In 1853 a small portion of territory in the southwestern corner of 
Massachusetts, known as Boston Corner, was ceded to New York, and 
the cession confirmed by Congress in 1855. 

The cession of Boston Corner to New York changes the boundar}'^, 
so that it is now as follows, viz: 

Beginning at a monmuent erected in 1781 b}^ commissioners from Con- 
necticut and New York (known as the Connecticut monument), stand- 
ing in the south boundary of Massachusetts, latitude 12" 02' 58". 54, 
longitude 73^ 80' 06". 66, which is the northwest corner of the State of 
Connecticut; thence along the south boundary of Massachusetts, north 
89- 08' 11" west, 40 chains; thence north i2° 57' 16" west 207.49' 
chains to a marble post marked on the east side M. S., on the west side 
N. Y., and on the south side 1853, which is in the line run by United 
States commissioners in 1787; thence north 15° 12' 9" east on the line 
run b}^ said United States commissioners (" 47 miles 73.70'' chains) to 
a red or black oak tree marked by said United States commission- 
ers, in the south boundary of the State of Vermont, latitude 42° 44' 

(iThis distance has been obtained by subtracting- the length of the west line of Boston Corner given 
in survey of 185:? from the entire length of west boundary of Massachusetts as given by the United 
States commissioners in 1787. 



GANNETT] RHODE ISLAND. 71 

45". 4S, longitude 73^ 16' 17". OS. [Sec Revised Statutes of New York, 
1875, page 122; also plat of surve}^ of Boston Corner in 1853, a copy of 
which is on file in office of clerk of House of Representatives at Wash- 
ington, D. C] 

RHODE ISLAND. 

The present State of Rhode Island was settled )jy Roger Williams 
and other innnigrants, who left Massachusetts Bay and established 
themselves at Providence in 1636. 

In 1613 a patent was granted for the Providence Plantation, from 
which the following are extracts, viz: 

t; ***** * 

And wheras there is a tract of land in the continent of America aforesaid, called by 
tlie name of the Narraganset Bay, bordering northward and northeast on the patent of 
the Massachusetts, east and southeast on Plymouth patent, south on the ocean, and 
on the west and northwest by the Indians called Narigganneucks, alias Narragansets, 
the whole tract extending about 25 English miles unto the Pequot River and country; 
and wheras divers English inhabitants of the towns of Providence, Portsmouth, and 
Newport, in the tract aforesaid, * * * have represented their desire, * * * we 
* * * do * * * give, grant, and confirm to the aforesaid inhabitantg of the 
towns of Providence, Portsmouth, and Newport a firm and absolute charter of incor- 
poration, to be known by the name of the incorporation of Providence Plantations, 
in the Narraganset Bay, in New England. * * * 

In 1663 Charles II granted a charter to Rhode Island and Providence 
Plantations, of which the following is an extract: 

* * * "All that parte of our dominiones in New-England, in America, conteyne- 
ing the Nahantick and Narragan sett Bay, and countryes and jsartes adjacent, bounded 
on the west, or westerly, to the middle or channel of a river there, commonly called 
and known by the name of Pawcatuck, alias Pawcawtuck river, and soe along the 
sayd river, as the greater or middle streame thereof reacheth or lyes upp into the 
north countrye, northward, unto the head thereof, and from thence, by a streight 
lyne drawn due north until itt toeets with the south lyne of the Massachusetts Col- 
lony; and on the north, or northerly, by the aforesayd south or southerly lyne of 
the Massachusetts Collony or Plantation, and extending towards the east, or east- 
wardly, three English miles to the east and north-east of the most eastern and north- 
eastern jjarts of the aforesayd Narragansett Bay, as the sayd bay lyeth or extendeth 
itself from the ocean on the south, or southwardly, unto the mouth of the river Avhich 
runneth towards the towne of Providence, and from thence along the eastwardh' side 
or l)anke of the sayd river (higher called by the name of Seacunck river), up to the 
ffalls called Patuckett ffalls, being the most westwardly lyne of Plymouth Collony, 
and soe from the sayd ffalls, in a streight lyne, due north, untill itt meet with the 
aforesayd line of the IMassachusetts Collony ; and bounded on the south by the ocean. ' ' 
And in particular, the lands belonging to the townesof Providence, Pawtuxet, Wor- 
wicke, Nusquammack, alias Pawcatuck, and the rest upon the main land in the tract 
aforesayd together with Rhode Island, Blocke Island, and all the rest of the islands 
and banks in the Narragansett Bay and bordering upon the coast of the tracts afo'-e- 
said (Fishers Island only excepted). * * * 

(For history of the northern and eastern boundaries see Massa- 
chusetts, p. 54.) 

In 1703 substantially the present western boundar}^ was settled by 
an agreement made between the commissioners from the two colonies 



72 BOUNDARIES OF THE UNITED STATES. [bull. 226. 

of Rhode Islsind und Coiiiu!cticiit, viz: '' A straight line from the mouth 
of A.shawogii River to the .southvve.st corner of the Warwick piirclia.se, 
and thence a st raight north line to Massachusetts. 

The line of ITOS was actualh' run b}' Rhode Island, and is still known 
as the Dexter and Hopkins lino. 

The two colonies disagreeing, Rhode Island appealed to the King, 
and the agreement of 1703 was finally estahlished in 172H. 

In September, 172^, commissioners from the two colonies met and 
ran the line. 

(For agreement of l7()3and 1728, decisions of English council, etc., 
see R. I. Hist. Soc. Coll., Vol. III.) 

In 1839 commissioners were appointed by Rhode Island and Con- 
necticut to survey and ascertain the line and erect monuments. 

The following line was established, viz: 

Beginning at a rock near the mouth of Ashawoga River, where it empties into 
Pawcatuck River, and from f^aid rock a straight course northerly to an ancient stone 
heaj) at tlie southeast corner of tlie town of Yoluntown, and from said rock southerly 
in the same course with the aforesaid line, until it strikes Pawcatuck River. From 
the southeast corner of Yoluntown a straight line to a stone heap at the southwest 
corner of West Greenwich; from thence a straight line to the southwest corner of the 
ancient town of Warwick, and which is now a corner of the towns of Coventry and 
West Greenwich; from thence a straight line to the northwest corner of the town of 
Coventry; thence a straight line to the northeast corner of Sterling; thence a straight 
line to the southwest corner of Burrillville, and thence a straight line to a stone heap 
upon a hill in the present jurisdictional line between the States of Massachusetts 
and Rhode Island, and at all of said corners, excepting said Warwick corner, we 
have erected monuments of stone, marked R. I. and C, and have also placed similar 
monuments on all the principal roads crossing the line, and at other suitable places. 
******* 

And we have caused the ancient monument which Mas erected at the Warwick cor- 
ner in November, 1742, to be reset and a large heap of stones to be made around it. 
Said mormment is marked witii the letter C. on one side, and on the other R H < ) D E. 
ISLAND and tlie traces of other letters and tigures. [Extract from Commissioner's 
Report. See R. I. Acts and Resolves, Jan. 1846, images 12, 13, 14.] 

The above was ratified in 184(5. 

CONNECTICUT. 

The title by which the people of Connecticut held the countr}' was 
founded on the old patent granted l)y Robert, Earl of Warwick, in 
1631, to Lord Say and Seal, Lord Brooke, Sir Richard Saltonstall, and 
others, associated under the name of the Plymouth Company. 

In 1630 the Plj-mouth Council made a grant of Connecticut to the 
Earl of Warwick, their president. This was confirmed by King Charles 
in 1631, and on the 19th of March, in the same year, the Earl conveyed 
his title to the Plymouth Compan}', as before stated. (Dwight's Conn., 
p. 19, et 8eq.) 

A charter was granted by Charles II to Connecticut in 1662, of which 
the following is an extract, viz: 



U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 








BULLETIN NO. 226 PL. XXII 








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BOUNDARY BETWEEN RHODE ISLAND AND CONNECTICUT, 



GANNETT.] 0O]M]Sf ECTICUT 73 

* • * * * * * * 

We * * * do give, grant and confirm unto the said Governor and Company, and 
their successors, all tliat part of our Dominions in New England in America bounded 
on the east by Narraganset River, commonly called Narraganset Bay, where the said 
river falleth into the sea, and on the north by the line of the Massachusetts planta- 
tion; and on the south by the sea; and longitude as the line of the Massachusetts 
Colony, running from east to west, that is to say, from the said Narraganset Bay on 
the east, to the south sea on the w^est part, with the islands thereunto adjoining. * * 

[C. and C, p. 256-7.] 

Previous to this time the two colonies of Connecticut and New Haven 
had continued separate, but under this charter thej were united and 
the charter was accepted April 20, 1665, (C. and C, p. 252.) 

The Duke of York having been granted a charter in 1664, b}^ which 
the lands west of the Connecticut River were embraced in his jurisdic- 
tion, the question of boundary immediately arose. 

About this time Col. Richard Nichols, George Cartwright, esq. , Sir 
Robert Carr, and Samuel Maverick, esq., had been appointed commis- 
sioners by the King, and clothed with extraordinary powers, to deter- 
mine all controversies in the colonies. The matter was referred to 
them, who, after a full hearing, determined that the southern boundary 
of Connecticut was the sea (Long Island Sound), and its western, Mam- 
aroneck River, and a line drawn north-northwest from the head of salt 
water in it to Massachusetts. The territory south and west of these 
lines was declared to belong to the Duke of York. ( Vide Dwight's 
Connecticut, pp. 159 et seq.) 

This decision in effect, decided upon a line 20 miles east of the Hud- 
son River as the boundar}', having for a starting point a place on 
Mamaroneck River. 

In 167-1 the Duke, of York received a new charter in substantiall}" the 
same terms as that of 1661:. New controversies concerning jurisdiction 
led to a new agreement, by which it was stipulated that a tract of land 
on Long Island Sound, the bounds of which were described as con- 
taining 61,410 acres, should be permanently set off' to Connecticut b}^ 
New^ York on condition that the former, in exchange, should set off to 
New York a territor}' of like extent and of uniform width from the 
tract on the Soiuid to the south line of Massachusetts. This agree- 
ment was sanctioned bj^ a royal ordinance of the King, and in 1684 the 
tract on the Sound was surve3^ed and set oft' to Connecticut. 

The western boundary of Connecticut was run in 1685 by Major 
Gould, Mr. Barr, and Mr. Selleck, and ratified by both parties. ( Vide 
Dwight's Connecticut, p. 109.) 

For various reasons the survey of the equivalent lands was not made 
at that time. 

In 1725 conunissioners were appointed on botii sides to Hx the line, 
this being the tilth set appointed for the same purpose, none of which 
had been able to come to an agreement. 
Bull. 226—04 8 



74 BOUNDARIES OF THE UNITED STATES. Iiull.jjc. 

The coinmlssioiiors of 171^5, liowovcr, entered into artieles of jiijjrcc- 
nient settling the iniinner of the survey. They, however, run only the 
line bounding the trsiet on Long Ishmd Sound. 

For ,soine cau.se uetion was then suspendeci until 1731, when tiie 
commissioners of 1725 surveyed and set ott' the oblong or ecjuivalent 
territory to New York, dehning and niai'king its boundary, which was 
to remain forever tiie dividing lini^ l)etween the respective States 
(then colonies). The line was substantially as at present, and is as fol- 
lows, viz: 

Betiiniiiii^ lit Lyon's I'oiiit, in the moiilh of ;i brook or river called Byranl'^s River, 
where it falls into Lonij Island Sound, ;ind innning thence up along said river to a 
rock at the ancient road or wading place in said river, which rock bears nortli twelve 
degrees and forty-live minutes east, live hundred and iifty rods from said point; 
then nortli twenty-three degrees and l'orty-li\e nnnutes west, two thousand two 
hundred and ninety-two rods; then east-northeast, thirteen miles and sixty-four 
rods, which lines were established in the year one thousand seven hundreil and 
twenty-live, by Francis Harrison, Cadwaller Golden, and Isaac Hicks, commissioners 
on the part (jf the then province of New York, and Jonathan Law, Samuel Eells, 
Roger Walcott, John Copp, and Edmund Lewis, commissioners on the part of the 
then colony of Connecticut, and were run as the magnetic needle then pointed; then 
along an east-northeast continuation of the last-mentioned course, one mile, three- 
quarters of a mile, and twenty-one rods, to a monument erected in the year one 
thousand seven hundred and thirty-one by Cadwaller Golden, Gilbert Willett, Vin- 
cent iSIatthews, and Jacobus Bruyn, jr., connnissioners on the part of said province, 
and Samuel Eells, Roger Walcott, and Edmund Lewis, connnissioners on the part of 
said t'olony, which said monument is at the southeast corner of a tract known and 
distinguished as the oblong or equivalent lands; then north twenty-four degrees and 
thirty nnnutes west, until intersected by a line run l)y said last-mentioned connnis- 
sioners, on a course south twelve degrees and thirty minutes west, from a monument 
erec'ted by them in the south l^ounds of Massachusetts, which monument stands in a 
valley in the Taghkanick Mountains, one hundred and twenty-one rods eastward from 
a heap of stones in said bounds, on the top or ridge of the most westerly of said moun- 
tains; then north twelve degrees and thirty minutes east from a monument erected 
by said last-mentioned commissioners at said place of intersection, and standing on 
the north side of a hill, southeasterly from the easternmost end of the long i)ond, along 
the aforesaid line to the aforesaid monument erected in the south bounds of jNIassa- 
chusetts — being the northeast corner of the oblong. (See Revised Statutes of N. Y., 
1881, Vol. I, pages 128-9.) 

For more than a century no controversy arose, but subsequent to 
1850 questions of jurisdiction were raised, and in 1855 Connecticut 
made a proposition for a new survey. Several sets of commissioners 
were appointed, l)tit no agreement being reached, tinally. in 1860, pur- 
suant to an act of the legislature of New York, the line was run by 
the New York commissioners, Connecticut not being represented. 

The lirst section of the act of the New York legislature is as fol- 
lows, viz: 

1. The commissioners appointed by the governor to ascertain the boundary line 
between the States of New York and Connecticut are liereby empowered and directed 
to survey and mark, with suitable monuments, the said line between the two States 
as fixed by the surveij of 1731. 



U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVE 



ULLETIN NO. 226 PL. XXIII 




BOUNDARY BETWEEN CONNECTICUT AND NEW YORK. 



GANNETT.] CONNECTICUT. 75 

The foliowinor is an abstract of the engineer's report of the line run 
under direction of the commissioners from New York, the Connecticut 
commissioners declining- to be present or assist, viz: 

Beginning- at the northwest corner of Connecticut, at the monu- 
ment erected by the commissioners of New York and Connecticut in 
1731, latitude 42'^ 02' 58". 54, longitude 78" 30' OH". (16; thence south 
11"^ 20' west, 461: chains, to the "47th mile monument; thence south 
12° 34' west, 239 chains 57 links, to the 44th mile monument point; 
thence south 11° 33' west, 160 chains, 99 links, to the 42d mile monu- 
ment; thence south 13° 16' west, 161 chains 24 links, to the 4()th mile 
monument point; thence south 12 21' west, 398 chains 21 links, to 
the 35th mile monument; thence south 12° 32' west, 158 chains 96 
links, to the 33d mile monument; thence south 11 44' west, 243 chains 
37 links, to the 30th mile monument; thence south 12° 27' west, 161 
chains 32 links, to the 2Sth mile monument; thence south 10° 56' west, 
160 chains, to the 26th mile monument point; thence >south 11° 39' 
west, 320 chains 11 links, to the 22d mile monument; thence south 12° 
18' west, 163 chains 17 links, to the 20th mile monument; thence south 
11 49' west, 159 chains 9 links, to the 18th mile monument; thence 
south 12° 19' west, 157 chains 15 links, to the 16th mile monument; 
thence south 10° 11' west, 161 chains 7 links, to the 14th mile monu- 
ment; thence south 10° 51' west, 313 chains 41 links, to the lOth mile 
monument point; thence south 12' 24' west, 155 chains 71 links, to 
the 8th mile monument; thence south 10° 19' west, 159 chains 28 
links, to the (Jth mile monument point; thence south 12° 10' west, 164 
chains 42 links, to the 4th mile monument; thence south 11° 44' west, 
158 chains 99 links, to the 2Tmile monument; thence south 14° 10' 
west, 109 chains 41 links, to the Ridgelield angle monument; '' thence 
south 25° 8' east, 213 chains 39 links, to the 4th mile monument on 
the east line of the oblong between the Wilton and Ridgetield angles; 
thence south 24° 48' east, 157 chains 63 links, to the 2-mile monument; 
thence south 24° 14' east, 167 chains 28 links, to the Wilton angle 
monument, or southeast corner of the oblong as set off b}" the com 
missioners of 1731; thence south 67° 45' west, 138 chains 76 links, to 
the southw^est corner of the oblong, and being where the survey' of 
1T25 terminated; thence south 65' 44' west, 90 chains 81 links, to a 
point considered the original 12th mile monument point; thence south 
»)() 56' west, 241 chains 93 links, to a point called the 9th mile monu- 
ment; thence south 'oQ'^ 45' west, 319 chains 12 links, to the 5th mile 
monument point; thence south Qi6° 25' west, 398 chains 40 links, to the 
angle at the Duke's Trees; thence south 23° 38' east, 172 chains 93 

«The mile monuments referred to are those, at that time remaining, whioh were established by the 
Connecticut and New York commissioners of 1731. 

fcThe entire distance from the Massachusetts line to Kidgefield angle is 52 miles 35 rods, a difference 
of only 5 rods from the survey of 1731. 



70 BOUNDARIES OF THK UNITED STATES. [biii.i.22G. 

links, to ii ])<)iiil which is west-southwest and distant 82 rods fi'orn the 
chiinncv in the old Clapp house; thence south 24'"^ 21' east, 224 chains 
7S links, to a point opposite the old William Andejson house; thence 
south 24 19' east, 1T;^> chains 7 links, to fin' <j;reat stone at the ancient 
wad i no- place on Byram River; thence south 17 45' west, 12 chains 
T)!) links, to a rock in the river which can be seen at low tide, in which 
thei-e is a holt; thence south 27 ' west, 55 chains 19 links; thence south 
7" 20' east, 13 chains 45 links; thence south 12^ 10' east. 1() chains 13 
links; thence south, 2' 40' east, 9 chains 4 links; thence south 28*^ 25' 
east, 9 chains 54 links; thence south 18" 40' east, 4 chains 77 links 
thence south 11"^ 55' west, 6 chains 33 links; thence south 58° 10' west, 
to where it falls into the sound. (See report of the commissioners to 
ascertain and settle the boundary line ])etween the States of New York 
and Connecticut, February 8, 1861, in which will also be found a com- 
plete account of this controversy.) 

In 1880 commissioners were appointed b}- C9nnecticut and New 
York. Their report was ratified in 1880. 

These commissioners reported as follows, viz: 

We agree that the boundary on the land constituting the western ])oundary of Con- 
nectieut and the eastern boundary of New York shall be and is as the same was 
defined by monuments erected by commissioners appointed by the State of New 
Yorli, and completed in the year 1860, the said boundary lineextenihng from Byram 
Point, formerly called Lyon's Point, on the south, to the line of the State of Massa- 
chusetts on the north. 

And we further agree tliat the boundary on the sound shall he and is as follows: 

Beginning at a point in the center of the channel, about 600 feet south of the 
extreme rocks of Byram Point, marked No. 0, on appended United States Coast 
Survey chart; thence running in a true southeast course 3i statute miles; tiience in 
a straight line (the arc of a great circle) northeasterly to a point 4 statute miles 
due south of New London Light-House; thence northeasterly to a point marked No. 
1, on the annexed United States Coast Survey chart of Fisher's Island Sound, which 
point is on the longitude east three-quarters north, sailing course down on said map, 
and is about 1,000 feet northerly from the Hommock or North Dumpling Light- 
House; thence following said east three-fourths north sailing course as laid down on 
said map easterly to a point marked No. 2 on said map; thence south ea.sterly to a 
point marked No. 3 on said map; so far as said States are coterminous. (See Kevised 
Statutes of New York, 1881, Vol. I, page 136.) 

The above agreement concerning these boundaries between Connec- 
ticut and New York was coniirmed by the Congress of the United 
States on February 2(), 1881. (See Kevised Statutes of ITnited States, 
1881.) 

(For the history and present location of the eastern boundary of 
Connecticut, vide Massachusetts, p. 01, and Rhode Island, p. 71. 
For the northern ])oundary, vf'de Massachusetts, p. 65.) 

Under the charter of 1062 Connecticut claimed a large western ter- 
ritory. Subse(iuent to the Revolution, however, in 1786, 1792, 1795, 
and 1800, she relinquished all title to anj^ land west of her present 
boundarJ^ 



GANNETT] BOUNDARY LINES OF THE STATES. 77 

NEW YOKK. 

Tlio ten-itory iuchided in the present State of New York was em- 
hi'iucd in the French and English grants of IfiOH and KJOO. The 
Dutch, however, in 1818 established trading posts on the Ihidson 
River and claimed jnrisdiction over the territory between the Connec- 
ticut and Delaware rivers, which they called New Netherlands. The 
government was vested in '"The United New Netherland Company," 
chartered in 1616, and then in '"'The Dutch West India Company," 
chartered in 1621. 

In 1664 King Charles II of England granted to his brother, the 
Duke of York, a large territory in America, which included, with 
other lands, all that tract lying between the west bank of the Connec- 
ticut River and the east bank of the Delaware. The Duke of York 
had previously' purchased, in 1663, the grant of Long Island and other 
islands on the New England coast, made in 1635 to the Earl of Stirling, 
and in 1664, with an armed fleet, he took possession of New Amster- 
dam, which was thenceforth called New York. This conquest was 
confirmed by the treaty of Breda in 1667. 

The following is an extract from the grant of 1664 to the Duke of 
York: 

All that parte of the maine land of New England beginning at a certaine place 
called or knowne by the name of St. Croix next adjoyning to New Scotland in Amer- 
ica and from thence extending along the sea coast nnto a certain place called Petua- 
qnine or Pemaquid and so np the River thereof 1o the further head of ye same as it 
tendeth northwards and extending from thence to the River Kinebequi and so up- 
wards by the shortest course to the River Canada northward and also all that Island 
or Islands commonly called by the severall name or names of Matowacks or Long 
Island scituate lying and being towards the west of Cape Codd and ye narrow Hig- 
ansetts alnittingupon the maine land between the two Rivers there called or knowne 
by the severall names of Conecticutt and Hudsons River togather also with the said 
river of Hudsons River and all the land from the west side of Conecticutt to ye east 
side of Delaware Bay and also all those severall Islands called, or knowne by the 
names of Martin's Vinyard and Nantukes otherwise Nantuckett togather with all ye 
lands islands soyles harbours mines minerals quarryes woods marshes waters lakes 
ffishings hawking hunting and ffowling and all other royalltyes proffitts commodi- 
tyes and hereditaments to the said severale island landh and premisses belonging and 
appertaining with theire and every of theire aiipurtenances and all our estate 'right 
title interest benefitt advantage claime and demand of in or to the said lands and 
premises or any ])art or parcell thereof and the revercon and revercons remainder 
and remainders togather with the yearly and other ye rents revenues and ])rotritts of 
all and singular the said premisses and of every part and parcell thereof to have and 
to hold all and singular the said lands islands hereditaments and premisses with their 
and every of their appurtenances. 

In July, 1673, the Dutch recaptured New York and held it until it 
was restored to the English by the treaty of Westminster, in February, 
1674. 

The Duke of York thereupon, to perfect his title, obtained a new 



78 BOUNDARIES OF THK UNITKF) STATES. [bull. 226. 

o-rant in siibsliintiiilly tlic sanie terms as that of lG(i4 (C. and C, p. 
i;^2S), of which the foUowiiio- is an extract, \i/: 

-x. * * * * * * 

All that itait of the mainland of New England, beginning at a cfi-tain place called 
or known hy the name of Saint Croix nexe a<ljoining to New Scotland in America, 
and from thence extending along the nea-coast into a certain place called Petna(|nim 
or Pemquid, and so up the river thereof to the furthewt head of the same ai^ it wind- 
eth northward and extending from the river of Kineliequ and so upwards hy the 
shortest course to the river Canada northwards; and all that island or islands com- 
monly called by the several name or names of Matowacks or Long Islands, situate 
and being toward the west of Cape Cod and the narrow lligansuts abutting upon the 
mainland between the two rivers there called or known by the several names of Con- 
necticut and Hudson Rivers, together also with the said river called Hudson's River, 
and all the lands from the west side of Connecticut River to the east side of Delaware 
Bay; and also all those several islands called or known by the names of Martin Vin- 

yard and Nantukes, otherwise Nantuckett. 

* * * ■ * * * * 

By these o-rants to the Duke of York and the conquest of the Dutch 
possessions in America it will be seen that New York orio-jnally had a 
claim to a much larger territory than is now included in her limits. 
The successive changes in her extent may be sketched as follows, viz: 

In 1664 the Duke of York sold the present State of New Jersey to 
Lord John Berkeley and Sir George Carteret. 

In 1682 the Duke of York sold to William Penn his title to Delaware 
and the country on the west bank of the Delaware, which had been 
originall}^ settled by the Swedes, then conquered by the Dutch, and 
which had b}" them been surrendered to the Duke of York. 

In 1686 Pemaquid and its dependencies were annexed to the New 
England government l^}^ a ro3\al order, the Duke of York having 
acceded to the throne of England. 

By the charter of 1691 to Massachusetts Bay, all claim to any part 
of Maine was extinguished, and the islands of Nantucket, Marthas 
Vineyard, and others adjacent (hitherto known as Duke's County, 
New York), were annexed to Massachusetts Ba}^ 

The territory west of the Connecticut River to within about 20 miles 
of the Hudson River, now forming a portion of Massachusetts and 
Coanecticut, were, by agreements and concessions made at various 
periods, surrendered to those States respectively. 

In 1781 New York released to the General Government all the lands 
to which she had claim west of a meridian extending through the w^est 
extremity of Lake Ontario, and in 1790 she gave up all claim to the 
present State of Vermont and consented to her independence. 

By these successive reductions New York was left with substantially 
her present boundaries. 

(For the history and settlement of the eastern boundary of New 
York, vide Vermont, Massachusetts, and Connecticut, ante, pp. 52, 68, 
and 73.) 



U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVE 



BULLETIN NO. 226 PL. XXIV 




HISTORICAL DIAGRAM OF NEW YORK. 



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GANNETT.] NEW YORK. 79 

The northern boundary was settled ])v the treat}^ of peace in 1783 
and l)v the commission under the sixth article of the treaty of Ghent. 
(T/VA'p. 11.) 

The l)oundar3^ between New York and New Jerse}^ was plainly stated 
in the grant by the Duke of York to Berkele}' and Carteret. ( Vide New 
Jersey, p. 83.) 

In 1719 attempts were made to have the line run and mark(^d, ))ut 
nothing seems to have been done to settle the matter permanently till 
1769, when commissioners were appointed by the King, wiio fixed on 
substantially the present line. ( Vide R. S. N. J., 1S21, pp. 29-34.) 

In 1772 this line was confirmed by the legislatures of both colonies, 
and commissioners were appointed to survey and mark the same. 

This line was as follows, viz: 

A direct and straight line from the fork or branch formed by the junction of the 
stream or waters called the Machackamack with the river Delaware or Fishkill, in 
the latitude of 41° 2V 'M" , to a rock on the west side of the Hudson River, marked by 
the said surveyors, in the latitude of 41° — said rock was ordered to be marked with 
the following words and figures, viz: "Latitude 41° north;" and on the south side 
thereof, "New Jersey;" and on the north side thereof, " New York;" also to mark 
every tree that stood on the line with five notches and a blaze on the northwest and 
southeast sides thereof, and to put up stone monuments, at 1 mile distance from each 
other, along the said line, and to number such monuments with the number of miles; 
the same shall be from the before-mentioned marked rock on the west side of Hudson's 
River, and mark the words " New Jersey" on the south side and the words " New 
York" on the north side of every of the said monuments. (See R. S. of N. J., 1821, 
pp. 29-34. ) 

The above was confirmed b}^ the King in comicil September 1, 1773. 

In the year 1833 commissioners were appointed by New York and 
New Jersey for the settlement of the territorial limits and jurisdiction 
of the two States. 

In the following year the commissioners made the following agree- 
ment, which was ratified by each State and confirmed by Congress, viz: 

UNITED ST.\TES ST.\TIITES .\T LARGE. TWEXTV-THIRD CONCiRESS, SESSION I. 1834. 

AN ACT giving the con.sent of Congress to an agreement or compact entered into between the State 
of New York and the State of New Jersey, respecting the territorial limits and jurisdiction of said 

States. 

Article first. The boundary line between the two States of New York and New 
Jersey, from a point in the middle of Hudson River, opposite the point on the west 
shore thereof, in the forty-first degree of north latitude, as heretofore ascertained and 
marked, to the main sea, shall be the middle of the said river, of the bay of New 
York, of the waters between Staten Island and New Jersey and of Raritan Bay, to the 
main sea, except as hereinafter otherwi.se particularly mentioned. 

Article second. The State of New York shall retain its present jurisdiction of and 
over Bedloe's and Ellis's islands, and shall also retain exclusive jurisdiction of and 
over the other islands lying in the waters above mentioned and now under the juris- 
diction of that State. 

Article third. Tlie State of New' York shall have and enjoy exclusive jurisdiction 
of and over all the waters of Hudson River Iving west of Manhattan Island and to the 



80 MOUNDAKIES OF THK UNITED STATES. [Bm.i..226. 

soil Ml of llic iiKiiil li (if S|iiiyl('n(liiyv('l ( IrccU, uiiil ul' ami dvcr the lands ciivcnMl hy the 
said wulcrs to the Niw-watcr iiuiik on i.\\v wcsti'rly <>r New .Icrst-y side thereof, Hub- 
ject to llie follow in<f tij^hts of properly and of jurisdiction of the State of New Jersey; 
that is to say: 

1. Tilt" State of New Jersey sliall liave the exclusive right of i)r(jjjerty in and to 
the land under water lying west of the middle of the bar of New York and west of 
the middle of that i)art of the Hudson River which lies lu-tweeii Manliatlan Island 
and New Jersey. 

2. The State of New Jersey shall have the exclusive jurisdiction of and over the 
wharves, docks, and improvements made and to he maih' on the shore of tlie said 
State, and of and over all vessels aground on sairl sliore, or fastened to any such 
whai'f or dock, excejit that tli*' said vessels shall he sul)ject to the ipiarantine or 
health laws and laws in relation to j)assengers of thc^ State of New York which 
now exist or which may hereafter hi; i)assed. 

8. The State of New Jersey shall have the exclusive right of regulating the lish- 
eries on the westerly side of the middle of said waters: J'rori(li<!, That the naviga- 
tion he not obstructed or hindered. 

AKTin,K FOURTH. The State of New York shall have exclusive juris(licti(»n of and 
over the waters f>f the Kill Von KuU between Staten Island and New Jersey to the 
■westernmost end off Shorter's Island in respect to such quarantine laws and laws 
relating to ])assengers as now exist or may hereafter be i)assed under the authority 
of that State, and for executing the same; and the said State shall also have exclusive 
jurisdiction for the like purposes of and over the waters of the Sound from the 
westernmost end of Shorter's Islan<l to Woodbridge Creek as to all vessels bound to 
any ])ort in the said State of New York. 

Articlk FiKTir. The State of New Jersey shall have and enjoy exclusive jurisdic- 
tion of and over all the waters of the Sound between Staten Island and New .Jersey 
lying soutii of Woodbridge Creek, and of and over all the wat<>rs of Raritan Bay 
lying westward of a line drawn from the light-house at Prince's I>ay to the mouth 
of Mattavan Oi^ek, snbjet't to the following rights of property and of juri.wdiction of 
the State of New York; that is to say: 

1. Thc( State of New York shall have the exclusive right of property in and to the 
land under water lying between the middle of the said waters and Staten Island. 

2. The State of New York shall have the ex(^lusive jurisdicrtion of and over the 
wharves, docks, and imjirovements made and to be made on the shore of Staten 
Island, and of and over all vessels aground on said shore or fastened to any su(^h 
wharf or dock, except that the said vessels shall be subject to tlu' (piarantine or 
health laws and laws in relation to passengers of the State of New Jersey which now 
exist oi' whi(!h may hereafter be i^assed. 

3. The State of New York shall have the exclusive right of regulating the fisheries 
between the shore of Staten Island and the middle of said waters: Frorided, That 
the navigation of the said waters be not obstructed or hindered. 

* * * * * * * 

In 1876 commissioners were jippointed to relocate the land boiind- 
ar}' between New York and New Jersey, and replace monuments that 
ma}" have become dilapidated or removed, or to erect new ones, etc. 
(77^/.' Rev. of N. ,1., 1877.) 

The above commissioners found in some cases a slight discrepancy 
between the orioinal marks and the verbal description thereof, and the 
leoislatures of each State ordered that the orio'inal monuments should 
be considered the true boundary. {See acts of New York, 1880, and 
acts of New Jersey, 1881.) 



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GANNETT.] NEW YORK. 81 

In 18S1 a joint commission of the two States was api)oiuted for the 
purpose of retracing and remarking, in a permanent manner, this 
boundary. This worl^ was completed in a thorough manner in 1SS3. 

In 1887 a joint commission of the two States was appointed to deter- 
mine and mark the boundary between the two States through Raritan 
Bay. This commission came to an agreement, the terms of which are 
as follows: 

First. From " Great Beds light-house," in Raritan Bay, north, twenty degrees six- 
teen minutes west, true, to a point in the middle of the waters of Arthur Kill, or 
Staten Island Hound, equidistant between the southwesterly corner of the dwelling 
house of David C. Butler, at "Ward's Point, on .Staten Island, in the State of New 
York, at the southeasterly corner of the brick building on the lands of Cortlandt 
L. Parker, at the intersection of the westerly line of Water street with the northerly 
line of Lewis street, in Perth Amboy, in the State of New Jersey. 

Second. From "Great Beds light-house," south, sixty-four degrees and twenty-one 
minutes east, true (S. 64° 2V E. ), in line with the center of Waackaack or Wilson's 
beacon, in IMonmouth Comity, New Jersey, to a point at the intersection of said line 
with a line connecting; "Morgan No. 2" triangulation point, U. S. Coast and Geo- 
detic Survey, in Middlesex Coimty, New Jersey, with the "Granite and Iron 
beacon," marked on the accompanying maps as "Romer stone beacon," situated on 
the "Dry Romer shoal; " and thence on a line bearing north, seventy-seven degrees 
and nine minutes east, true (N. 77° 9^ E. ), connecting "Morgan No. 2" triangula- 
tion point, U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey, in Middlesex County, New Jersey, with 
said "Romer stone beacon" (the line passing through said beacon and continuing 
in the same direction), to a point at its intersection with a line drawn l)etween tlie 
"Hook beacon," on Sandy Hook, New Jersey, and the triangulation point of the 
U. S. Geodetic Survey, known as the Oriental Hotel, <>n Coney Island, New York; 
then southeasterly, at right angles with the last-mentioned line to the main sea. 

Third. The monumental marks l)y which said boundary line shall be hereafter 
known and recognized are hereby declared to be as follows: 

1. The "Great Beds light-house." 

2. A permanent monument marked "State boundary line New York and New 
Jersey," and to be placed at the intersection of the line drawn from the "Great 
Beds light-house" to "Waackaack or Wilson's beacon," Monmouth County, New 
Jersey, and the line drawn from "Morgan No. 2" triangulation point, U. S. Coast 
and Geodetic Survey, in Middlesex County, New Jersey, to " Romer stone Ijeacon." 

3. Eight Ijuoys or spindles, to be marked like the permanent monument above 
mentioned, and placed at suitable intervening i^oints along the line from the said 
permanent motiument to the ' ' Romer stone beacon. ' ' 

4. The "Romer stone beacon." 

In the 3"ear ITTl commissions were appointed b}' New York and 
Pennsylvania to fix the beginning of the forty-third degree of north 
latitude on the Mohawk or western branch of Delaware Rivei"; which 
is the northeast corner of Pennsylvania, and to proceed westward and 
fix the line between Pennsylvania and New York, 

These commissioners reported in December of the same year that 
they fixed the said northeast corner of Pennsylvania, and marked it as 
follows, viz: 

( )n a small island in the said river they planted a stone marked with the letters 
and figures, New York, 1774, cut on the north side thereof; and the letters and fig- 



82 BOUNDAKIES OF THE UNITED STATES. [bull.2-26. 

iiri's, latitude 42° variation 4° 20', t-ut on the top tluTcof; and in a direction due west 
from tlience on the west .si<le of the said branch of Dehiware, collected and placed a 
heap of stones at the water mark; and ])roceeding fnrtlier west fonr j)erches, planted 
another stone in the said line marked with th(; letters and figures, Pennsylvania, 
1774, cut on the south side thereof, and the letters and figures, latitude 42° vi^ Nation 
4° 2(K, cut on the top thereof, and at the distance of eighteen perches due west from 
the last-mentioned stone marked an ash tree. The rigor of the season prevented 
them running the line farther. 

Nothing further seems to have been done until ITStl-'T, when com- 
missioners were appointed to finish the work thus ))egun (.sw Cary & 
Riorden's Laws of Pennsylvania, Vol. Ill, page 392), and the lines 
were run and monuments erected. The line was ratified in 1780, and 
is as follows, viz: 

Beginning at a point in Lake Erie, where the l)oundary line between the United 
States and Great Britain is intersected by a meridian line drawn through the most 
westerly bent or inclination of Lake Ontario; then south along said meridian line to 
a monument in the beginning of the forty-third degree of north latitude, erected in 
the year one thousand seven hundred and eighty-seven, by Abraham Herdenbergh 
and William W. Morris, commissioners on the part of this State, and Andrew EUi- 
cott and Andrew Porter, connnissioners on the part of the State of Pennsylvania, for 
the purpose of marking the termination of the line of jurisdiction between this State 
and the said State of Pennsylvania; then east along the line established and marked 
by said last-mentioned commissioners to the ninetieth milestone in the same parallel 
of latitude, erected in the year one thousand seven hundred and eighty-six, by James 
Clinton and Simeon DeWitt, commissioners on the part of this State, and Andrew 
Ellicott, commissioner on the part of Pennsylvania; which said ninetieth milestone 
stands on the western side of the south Ijranch of the Tioga River; then east along 
the line estal^lished and marked by said last-mentioned commissioners, to a stone 
erected in the year one thousand seven hundred and seventy-four, on a small island 
in the Delaware River, by Samuel Holland and David Rittenhouse, commissioners 
on the part of the colonies of Penns^dvania and New York, for the purpose of mark- 
ing the beginning of the forty-third degree of North latitude; then down along said 
Delaware River to a point opposite to the fork or branch formed by the junction of 
of the stream called Mahackamack with the said Delaware River, in the latitude of 
forty-one degrees, twenty-one minutes and thirty.seven seconds north; then in a 
straight line to the termination on the east bank of the Delaware River of a line run 
in the year one thousand seven hundred and seventy-four, by William Wickham and 
Samuel Gale, commissioners on the part of the then colony of New York, and John 
Stevens and Walter Rutherford, commissioners on the i)art of the then colony of 
New Jersey. {See Revised Statutes of New York, 1881.) 

The meridian line forming the western l)oundarv of New York was 
surveyed and mapped in 1790 by Andrew Ellicott, as United States 
commissioner (Pa. Archives, Vol. XII — Map), and the latitude for- 
merly inscribed on the monument on Lake Erie, fixing the western 
boundary, was 42'^ 16' 13". The report of the commissioner has not 
been found. 

In 1865 Dr. Peters, director of Hamilton College Observatory, under 
the directions of the regents of the I'nivcrsity of New York, deter- 
mined the latitude and longitude of the boundary monument aforesaid, 



GANNETT] NEW YORK NEW JERSEY. 83 

with the following result: Latitude, 42^ 16' 2". 8; longitude, 79^ 45' 
54". 4. ( Vide Dr. Peter'.s Report, 1868.) 

In 1877 the parallel of the forty-second degree north latitude was 
ascertained at four points, by the New York and Pennsylvania Joint 
Boundary Commission, with the following result, viz: 

1. At Travis Station (Hale's Eddy), very near the east end of that 
part of the New York and Pennsylvania line supposed to be on the 
forty-second parallel, the old line was found to be 275 feet north of the 
parallel. 

2. At Finn's Station, about 20 miles from east end (Great Bend), the 
line is 350 feet south of the parallel. 

3. At Burt's Station, about 7o miles from east end (Wellsburg), the 
line is 700 feet north of the parallel. 

4. At Clark's Station, about 253 miles from east end (Wattsburg), 
the line is 150 feet north of the parallel. 

(See pamphlet, Report of Penn. Board of the Peun. & N. Y, Joint 
Boundary Comm.) 

NEW JERSEY. 

Although the original grants from the French and English sover- 
eigns of 1603 and 1606 covered the territory forming the present State 
of New Jersey, the grant which first directly relates to New Jersey is 
that given in 1664 b}' the Duke of York to Lord eTohn Berkelej^ and 
Sir George Carteret, two months before the setting out of his expedi- 
tion to take possession of New York. 

The following extract from that grant defines the boundaries, viz: 

All that tract of land adjacent to New England, and lying and being to the west- 
ward of Long Island and Manhitas Island, and bounded on the east part by the main 
sea and jiart by Hudson River, and hath upon the west Delaware Bay or river, and 
extendeth southward to the main ocean as far as Cape May, at the mouth of Dela- 
ware 'Bay, and to the northwanl as far as the northernmost l^rancli of the said bay 
or river of Delaware, which is forty-one degrees and forty minutes of latitude, and 
crosseth over thence in a straight line to Hudson River, in forty-one degrees of lati- 
tude; which said tract of land is hereafter to be called by the name or names of 
New Ceaserea or New Jersey. (Vide Grants, Concessions, etc., of New Jersey, 
Leammg & Spicer, p. 8.) 

In ]VIarch, 1673, Lord Berkeley sold his undivided moiety of New 
Jersej' to John Fen wick, l)y whom, in the following year, it was again 
sold. Jul}' 1, 1676, was executed the famous " Quintipartite deed," 
by which the eastern part was given to Sir George Carteret, to be 
called East New fTersey, and the western part to the other proprietors, 
to be called West New Jersey. Sir George Cartaret, at his death in 
1678, left his land to be sold. It was sold in 1682 to the twelve pro- 
prietors, who admitted other partners. 

Confirmation grants wore made to the proprietors of both provinces 
b}- the Duke of York, and confirmed by the King, but between 1697 
BuU. 226—04 9 



84 BOUNDARIES OF THK UNITED STATES. [Hi'i.i..L>2f,. 

iuid 17()1 the proprietors rcpeatetlly iiiude petitions to be allowed to .sur- 
render their right of government to the Crown. Accordingly, in 1702, 
the surrender was made and accepted ])y the Queen, and ])oth parts 
imited were made the province of New Jersey. ( Vide Leaming and 
Spicer's grants, etc.) 

(For the history of the northern and eastern boundary, vide New 
Yorlt, p. 79.) 

The grant from the Duke of York to Berkeley and Carteret defined 
the west boundary of New Jerse}^ to be the Delaware River. ( Vide 
p. 83.) ^ 

The line between New Jersey and Delaware is thus described in the 
Revised Statutes of Delaware, p. 2, viz: 

Low-water mark on the eastern side of tlie river Delaware, within tlie twelve-mile 
circle from New Castle and the middle of the bay, below said circle. 

Ill 1876 the legislature of New Jersey authorized the governor to 
commence a suit in the Supreme Court of the United States to settle the 
boundary between New Jersey and Delaware. New Jersey claimed 
jurisdiction to the middle of the Delaware, so far as the river and bay 
is a boundaiy between the two States. ( Vide Revision of New Jersey, 
p. 1185.) 

In 1783 CoDimissioners were appointed by New Jerse}^ and Pennsyl- 
vania to settle the jurisdiction of the river Delaware and the islands 
within the same. Their report was ratified, and is in substance as fol- 
lows: 

First. It is declared that the river Delaware from the station point 
or northwest corner of New Jersey, northerl}^ to the place upon the 
said river where the circular boundary of the State of Delaware touches 
upon the same, in the whole length and breadth thereof, is and shall 
continue to be and remain a common highway, equally free and open 
for the use, benefit, and advantage of the said contracting parties, etc. 

Second. That each State shall enjo}^ and exercise a concurrent juris- 
diction within and upon the water, and not upon the dry land between 
the shores of said river, etc. 

Third. That all islets, islands, and dry land within the bed and 
between the shores of said river, and between said station point north- 
erly and the falls of Trenton southerly, shall, as to jurisdiction, be 
hereafter deemed and considered as parts and parcels of the State to 
which such insulated diy land doth lie nearest at the time of making 
this agreemetit, and that from said falls of Trenton to the State of Dela- 
ware southerly, certain islands (in the agreement the v are named B) be 
annexed to each State respectively. ( Vide Revision of New Jersey, 
p. 1181.) 

In 1786 commissioners were appointed by New Jerse}- and Pennsyl- 
vania for more accurately determining and describing the islands men- 
tioned in the foregoing agreement; that is, those in the Delaware from 



GANNETT.] PENNSYLVANIA. 85 

the northwest corner of New Jerse}^ down to the falls of Trenton. Their 
report was ratified, and a long- list of islands, descriljed b}^ name in the 
act, were annexed to each State respectively. ( Vide Revision of New 
Jersey, pp. 1182-'3.) 

PENNSYLVANIA. 

The Swedish West India Company, chartered b}' the King of Swe- 
den in KW5, established the lirst permanent settlement on the west 
bank of the Delaware, occupying a part of the territory now in Penn- 
svlvania and Delaware, although the Dutch had previouslv established 
trading posts, which had been destroyed by the Indians. The Swedes 
acquired, by successive purchases from the Indian chiefs, all the land 
extending from Cape Henlopen to the great falls of the Delaware, 
calling it New Sweden. ( Vide C. and C, p. 1509.) 

•In 1655 this territory was surrendered to the Dutch. ( Vide Haz- 
ard's Annals of Pennsylvania, p. 185.) 

By the conquest of the New Netherlands, in 1061, the Duke of York 
seems to have successfully claimed the settlements on the west bank of 
the Delaware as part of his dominions. 

In 1681 Charles II of England granted to William Penn the Province 
of Pennsj'lvania. The following extract from the charter defines the 
boundaries: 

* * * all that Tracte or Parte of Land in America, with all the Islands therein 
conteyned, as the same is bounded on the P^ast by Delaware River, from twelve miles 
distance Northwards of New Castle Towne unto the three and fortieth degree of 
Northerne Latitude, if the said River doeth extende so farre northwards; But if the 
said River shall not extend soe farre Northward, then by the said River soe farr as 
it doth extend; and from the head of the said River the Eastern Bounds are to bee 
determined by a Meridian Line, to bee drawne from the head of the said River, unto 
the said three and fortieth degree. The said Lands to extend w^estwards five degrees 
in longitude, to bee computed from the said Easterne Bounds; and the said Lands to 
bee bounded on the North by the beginning of the three and fortieth degree of North- 
ern Latitude, and on tlie South bj' a Circle drawne at twelve miles distance from New 
Castle Northward and Westward unto the ])eginning of the fortieth degree of North- 
ern I^atitude, and thence l)y a streight Line Westward to the Limit of Longitude 
above mentioned. 

William Penn, in order to perfect his title, procured of the Duke of 
York a deed bearing date August 21, 1682, b}' which the Duke of York 
conveyed to him all title and claim which he might have to the province 
of Pennsylvania. ( Vide Hazard's Annals of Pa., 586 et scq.) 

He also purchased of the Duke of York the territory now compris- 
ing the State of Delaware, which he held until 1701-'2, when he 
granted a charter which enabled them to set up a separate govern- 
ment, though still under proprietary control. (Vde C. and C. , p. 
270 et seq.) 

(For a history of the northern and eastern boundaries of Pennsjd- 
vania, see New York and New Jersey, pp. 81 and 81.) 



8() HOUNDAKIP^rt OF THE UNITED STATES. [biiu,.22C. 

That part of the southern l)oundary of Pennsylvania between Penn- 
sylvania and Delaware is an arc of a circle, havino- for its center the 
steeple of the old court-house at New Castle, Del., and a radius of 12 
miles. This was surveyed and marked under a warrant f I'om William 
I'eiui in 17()1. ( Vide Hazard's Annals of Pennsylvania.) 

This circular line, in connection with adjacent lines, was made the 
subject of controversy^ for many years. 

According' to the original grants of Pennsylvania and Maryland the 
})oundary ])etween them was to be the fortieth degree of noith 
latitude. 

This line being found to pass north of Philadelphia and to exclude 
Pennsylvania from Delaware Bay, negotiations ensued between the 
proprietors to rectify this geographical blunder, and for nearly a 
century the matter remained unsettled. 

In the 3^ear 1732 an agreement was made to fix the boundary. Com- 
missioners Avere appointed in that year, and subsequentl}' in 1739, to 
run the line, but they failed to agree, and chancery suits w^ere the 
result. Taking a decision of Lord Chancellor Hardwick in 1750 as a 
basis of final adjudication, an agreement was signed July -1, 1760. 15y 
this agreement the line between Pennsylvania and Delaware on the 
one part and Maryland on the other was determined as follows, viz: 

A due east and west line should be run across the peninsula from 
Cape Henlopen to the Chesapeake Bay. From the exact middle of 
this line should be drawn a lino tangent to the western peripher}" of a 
circle, having a radius of 12 English statute miles, measured horizon- 
tally from the center of the town of New Castle. From the tangent 
point a line should be drawn due north until it cut a parallel of lati- 
tude 15 miles due south of the most southern part of the city of 
Philadelphia, this point of intersection to be the northeast corner of 
Maryland; thence the line should run due west on said parallel as far 
as it formed a boundary between the two governments, ( Tide Dela- 
ware, p. 87.) 

In 1760 commissioners and surveyors were appointed, who spent 
three j^ears in measuring the base line and the tangent lino between 
Maryland and Delaware. 

The proprietors then, wearied with the delay, sent over from Eng- 
land two famous mathematicians, Charles Dixon and Jeremiah Mason, 
who verified the work of their predecessors, and ran the line west 
between Pennsylvania and Maryland, since known as "Mason's and 
Dixon's line." 

Mason and Dixon fixed the latitude of this line at 39° 13' IS". A 
resurvey in 1850 by Colonel Graham determined it to be 39° 43' 26".3. 

Mason and Dixon l)egun their work in 1703, *and were stopped by 
Indians in 1767, having run the line about 241 miles west of the Dela- 
ware, not quite finishing their work. They put np mile stones all 



GANNETT. 1 PENNSYLVANIA DELAWARE. 87 

along said line, cveiy fifth one being marked with the arms of the 
respective proprietors. 

In consequence of the accidental removal of the stone at the north- 
east corner of Maryland, commissioners were apointed in 1850 by Penn- 
sylvania, Delaware, and Maryland to revise the former survey, which 
was done by Lieutenant-Colonel Graham, of the United States topo- 
graphical engineers. The result confirmed the work of Mason and 
Dixon, and Maryland gained by the resurvey a little less than two 
acres. 

(For a full report of the running of Mason and Dixon's line in 
lT63-'67, and the verification by Colonel Graham in 1850, see Senate 
Journal of Delaware for 1851, pages 56-109.) 

In 1784 the report of the commissioners who had ])een appointed to 
hx the boundaries between Virginia and Pennsylvania (West Virginia 
then forming part of Virginia) was confirmed, and the liiies so fixed 
are as follows, viz: 

Tlie line commonly called Mason and Dixon's line to be extended due west live 
degrees of longitude from the river Delaware, for the southern boundary of Pennsyl- 
vania, and a meridian drawn from the western extremity thereof to the northern 
limits of the said States, respectively, be the western boundary of Pennsylvania. 
( Vide C. and B. laws of Pennsylvania, Vol. II, p. 495, and Hening's Virginia, Vol. 
XI, p. 554.) 

By the cession of 1784, by Virginia to the United States- — and that 
of 1800, l)y Connecticut to the United States, and the formation of the 
State of West Virginia from a portion of Virginia in 1802 — the above- 
mentioned meridian lino becomes the boundary l)etween Pennsylvania 
on the east, and Ohio and West Virginia on the west. 

By an examination of the cession of 1781, by New York to the United 
States, it will be seen that a small triangular tract on Lake Erie was 
left in the hands of the General Gov^ernment. This was sold to Penn- 
sylvania in 1792. 

DELAWARE. 

The State of Delaware was originally settled by the Swedes. ( Vide 
Penns3dvania, p. 85.) In 1655 it was surrendered to the Dutch, who, 
in 1664, in turn surrendered it to the English, and it was taken pos- 
session of ])y the Duke of York. 

William Penn, having received in 1682 a grant of the province of 
Pennsylvania, bought of the Duke of York the territory comprising 
the present State of Delaware. It was conve3^ed to him by two deeds 
of feoffment, dated August 24, 1682, one conveying the town of New 
Castle and a twelve-mile circle around the same, and the other convey- 
ing all the lands south of said circle to Cape Henlopen. (See Hazard's 
Annals of Pennsylvania, p. 588 et seq.) 

Soon after the grant made by the royal charter aforesaid, an assem- 
bly of the province and three lower counties (then called th-e terri- 



88 BOUNDARIES OF THE UNITED STATES. [biii.l.22G. 

tories) was oallod ])y the proprietary and governor aforesiud, which 
met at Chester on the .seventh day of December, 1682, when the fol- 
lowing laws, among others, were passed, to wit: 

* * * Since * * * itha.si)lea.s('(lKinfi;CharlestheSecond * * * togrant 

* * * William IVnii., t^sq., * * * this Provinoe of Pennsylvania * * * 
And * Janie.s Duke of York and Albany * * * to release liiH rij^lit and claim 

* * * to the Province of Pennsylvania * * * and * * * to j,'rantunto the 
said AVilliam Penn * * * all that tract of land from twelve miles northward of 
New Castle, on the river Delaware, down to the South C!ai)e (connnoidy called ('ai)e 
llenlopen, and by the Proprietary ajid (iovernor now calle<l Cai)e Jonuis) lyinj; on 
the west side of the said river and l)ay, * * * lately cast into three counties, called 
New Castle, Jones, and Whorekills (alias New Dale. * * * Be it enacted * * 
that the counties of New Castle, Jones, and Whorekills alias New Dale * * * 
are annexed to the Province of Pennsylvania. * * * (Dallas' Laws of Penn- 
sylvania, 1797, Vol. I, Appendix, p. 24 et seq.) 

In 1701 William Penn granted a charter, under which the province 
of Pennsylvania and the territories (as Delaware was then called) were 
made separate governments, though both were still under the proprie- 
taiy government of William Penn. (C. & C, p. 270.) 

By the Kevolution the "territories'"' became the State of Delaware, 
with substantially her present boundaries. 

(For a history of the boimdariesl)ctween Delaware and Pennsylvania, 
vide Pennsylvania, p. 85, and between Delaware and New Jerse}'^, vide 
New Jersey, p. 83 et seq.) 

From 1732 to 17()9 there was a controversy between the proprietors 
of Pennsylvania and Maryland in regard to boundaries {vide p. 86). 
The boundaries of Delaware on the north and west — Delaware then 
being under the jurisdiction of Pennsylvania — were determined as 
follows, viz: 

Beginning at Cape Henlopen and running due west 3-1 miles 309 
perches; thence in a straight line 81 miles 78 chains and 30 links up the 
peninsula until it touches and makes a tangent to the western periph- 
ery of a circle, drawn at the horiztonal distance of twelve English 
statute miles from the center of the town of New Castle. 

From this tangent point a line was run due north till it cut a parallel 
of latitude 15 miles due south of the most southern part of the city of 
Philadelphia. This point of intersection is the northeast corner of 
Maryland. The tangent line bearing a little west of north, the due 
north line from the tangent point cuts off an arc of the 12-milc circle.. 
The boundar}" line follows the arc of the circle from the tangent point 
around to the point where the due north line intersects the 12-mile 
circle, then follows said due north line to said northeast corner of 
Maryland. The length of said due north line is 5 miles 1 chain and 
50 links, as given by Mason and Dixon. ( Vld<' Jour. Del. Sen., 1851, 
p. 56 et seq. ) 

By the agreement of I7r)0, based on the decree of Chancellor Hard- 



GANNETT.] DELAWARE MARYLAND. 89 

wick, a due oast and west line .should be run across the peninsula from 
Cape Henlopen to Chesapeake Bay, etc. The decree of Lord Hard- 
wick says, touching the position of Cape Henlopen, ''that Cape Hen- 
lopen ought to be deemed and taken to be situated at the place where the 
same is laid down and described in the map or plan annexed to the said 
articles to be situated, and tlierefore his lordship doth further order 
and decree that the said articles be carried into execution accordingly," 
etc. 

In Hazard's Annals of Pennsylvania, p. .5, is found the followuig, 
viz: "The cape now called Henlopen was then called Cornelis." 

William Penn directed that Cape Henlopen be called Cape James. 
{M</e Hazard's Penns3dvania, p. 606; also tu^/e act of union of the 
territories to Pennsylvania.) 

The foregoing statements explain the seeming incongruity l)etween 
the l)ase line across the peninsula and the position of Cape Henlopen 
as laid down on all modern maps. 

MARYLAND. 

The territory comprising the present area of Maryland was included 
in the previous charters of Virginia, notwithstanding which, in the 
year 1632, Lord Baltimore received a royal grant of the province of 
Maryland, whose boundaries are defined in the following extract: 

All that part of the Peninsula or Chersonese, lying in parts of America, between 
the ocean on the east and the Bay of Chesapeake on the west; divided from the resi- 
due thereof by a right line drawn from the promontory or headland called Watkins 
Point, situate upon the bay aforesaid, near the River "Wighco on the west unto the 
main ocean on the east, and between that l)oundary on the south unto that part of 
the Bay of Delaware on the north, which lieth under the fortieth degree of north 
latitude from the e(>uinoctial, where New England is terminated; and all the tract of 
that land within the metes underwritten (that is to say), passing from the said bay, 
called Delaware Bay, in a right line, by the degree aforesaid, unto the true meridian 
of the first fountain of the River Pattowmack; thence verging towards the south 
unto the farther bank of the said river, and following the same on the west and south 
xinto a certain place called Cinquack, situate near the mouth of said river, where it 
disembogues into the aforesaid Bay of Chesajieake, and thence by the shortest line 
unto the aforesaid promontory or place called Watkins Point, so that the whole 
tract of land divided l)y the line aforesaid, l)etween the main ocean and Watkins 
Point unto the promontory called Cape Charles, may entirely remain forever 
■excepted to us ****** . 

B}'^ an examination of the limits laid down in this charter, and a com- 
parison with the several charters of Virginia and the charter and deeds 
to William Penn, it will be seen that there was a conflict of boundaries 
on l)oth sides of the Maryland grant. 

The historj^ of the long controvers}^ with Penns3dvania has alreadj^ 
been given {r/de PennsAdvania, p. 8.5, and Delaware, p. 87). Virginia 
on the south claimed the territory under her charters, and for a time 
seemed disposed to assert her claim, notwithstanding we lind in 1638 a 



90 BOUNDARIES OF THP: UNITED STATES. [i!in,i,.22C. 

proclaiuatioii by the o-ovenior iind couucil of Virginia rccogniziiii^- the 
province of Maryland, and for])idding trade with the Indians within 
the limits of Maryland withont the consent of Lord Baltinion^, pre- 
viously obtained {vUlc Boznian's Maryland, Vol. II, p. 5b0). Virginia's 
claim was finally given up by a treaty or agreement made in 1658. 
(For a full account nidf Bozniairs Maryland, p. 4-14 et neq.) 

In 1008 the Virginia assembl}' ordered a survey of the line betwtjen 
Virginia and Maryland on the peninsula, and declared it to be as fol- 
lows, viz: 

From Watkins Point east across the jieninsnla. 

They define Watkins Point 

To be the north side of Wicomicoe River on the eastern shore and neere unt(j and 
on the sonth side of the streight limbe opposite to I*atuxent River. 

( Vide Hening\s Virginia, Vol. II, p. ISl.) 

In 1(')08 connnissioners were appointed byMarjdand and Virginia to 
fix the ])oundary across the peninsula. The commissioners were Philip 
Calvert, esq., chancellor of Maryland, and Col. P^dmund Scarbrugh, 
his majesty's surveyor-general of Virginia. Their report is as follows, 
viz: 

* * * After a fnll and perfect view taken of the point of land made by tlie north 
side of Pocomoke Bay and sonth side of Annamessexs Bay have and do conclude the 
same to be "Watkins Point, from which said point so called, we have run an east 
line, agreeable with the extreamest part of the westermost angle of the said Wat- 
kins Point, over Pocomoke River to the land near Robert Ilolston's, and there liave 
marked certain trees which are so continued by an east line running over Swanse- 
cutes Creeke into the marsh of the seaside with apparent marks and boundaries 
* ""• * Signed June 25, 1868. ( Vide Md. Hist. Soc. Coll. of State papers, volume 
marked 4 L. C. B., pp. 63-64. ) 

Virginia, by the adoption of her constitution of 1776 (see Article 
21), relinquished all claim to territory covered by the charter of Mary- 
land, thereb}^ fixing Maryland's western boundarj^ as follows: 

Commencing on a true meridian of the iirst fountain of the river Pattawmack, 
thence verging towards the south unto the further bank of the said river and following 
the same on the west and south unto a certain place called Cinquack, situate near 
the mouth of said river where it disembogues into the aforesaid bay of Chesapeake, 
and thence by the shortest line unto the aforesaid promontory or place called 
Watkins Point; thence a right line to the main ocean on the east. (See charter of 
Maryland. ) 

The f oreging are substantially the present boundaries; but from that 
time up to the present a controversy^ has been going on concerning 
them. 

In 1786 a compact was entered into between the States of Maryland 
and Virginia, but as this referred more particularly to the navigation 
and exercise of jurisdiction on the waters of Chesapeake Bay, the 
Potomac and Pocomoke rivers, they are not given here. ( Vide Hen- 
ings Va., Vol. XII, p. 50.) 



GANNETT] MARYLAND. 91 

From 1821 to 1858 frequent legislation took place in regard to this 
bolludar3^ 

In the last-named 3 ear commissioners were appointed by Maryland 
and Virginia, respectively, who, with the assistance of Lieut. N. Mich- 
ler. United States Engineers, surveyed the lines. 

In 1860 the governor of Virginia, under a resolution of the legisla- 
ture, appointed and sent an agent to England to collect records and 
docunientar}' evidence bearing on this <[uostion. 

The rebellion ensuing, nothing further was done Tuitil 1867, when 
legislation again commenced. 

The question of this boundary was referred to arbitrators by an 
agreement made in 1874, each State binding itself to accept their 
award as tinal and conclusive. 

J. S. Black, of Pennsyhania; AVilliam A. Graham, of North Caro- 
lina, and Charles A. Jenkins, of Georgia, were appointed arbitrators. 

William A. Graham having died, James B. Beck, of Kentuck}^, was 
appointed in his stead. 

The arbitrators made, in 1877, the following award, viz: 

Beginning at the point on the Potomac River where the hne between Virginia and 
West Virginia strikes the said river at low-water mark, and thence following the 
meanderings of said river by the low-water mark to Smith's Point, at or near the 
mouth of the Potomac, in the latitude 37° 53^ 8'^ and longitude 76° 13^ 46'^; thence 
crossing the waters of the Chesapeake Bay, by a line running north 65° 30^ east, 
a])out nine and a half nautical miles to a point on the western shore of Smith's Island 
at the north end of Sassafras Hammock, in latitude 37° 57' 13'-', longitude 76° 2' 52'''; 
thence across Smith's Island south 88° 30' east five thousand six hundred and twenty 
yards to the center of Horse Hammock, on the eastern shore of Smith's Island, in 
latitude 37° 57' 8", longitude 75° 59' 20"; thence south 79° 30' east four thousand 
eight hundred and eighty yards to a point marked "A" on the accompanying map, 
in the middle of Tangier Sound, in latitude 37° 56' 42", longitude 75° 56' 23", said 
point bearing from James Island light south 54° west, and distant from that light 
three thousand five hundred and sixty yards; thence south 10° 30' west four thou- 
sand seven hundred and forty yai'ds by a line dividing the waters of Tangier Sound, 
to a point where it intersects the straight line from Smith's Point to Watkins Point, 
said point of intersection being in latitude 37° 54' 21", longitude 75° 56' 55", bearing 
from James Island light south 29° west and from Horse Hammock south 34° 30' east. 
This point of intersection is marked "B" on the accomiianying map. Thence north 
85° 15' east six thousand seven hundred and twenty yards along the line above men- 
tioned, which runs from Smith's Point to Watkins Point until it reaches the latter 
spot, namely, Watkins Point, which is in latitude 37° 54' 38", longitude 75° 52' 44". 
From Watkins Point the boundary line runs due east seven thousand eight hundred 
and eighty yards to a point where it meets a line running through the middle of 
Pocomoke Sound, which is marked "C" on the accompanying map, and is in lati- 
tude 37° 54' 38", longitude 75° 47' 50"; thence by a line dividing the waters of Poco- 
moke Sound north 47° 30' east five thousand two hundred and twenty yards to a 
point in said sound marked "D" on the accompanying map, in latitude 37° 56' 25", 
longitude 75° 45' 26"; thence following the middle of Pocomoke River by a line of 
irregular curves, as laid down on the accompanying map, until it intersects the west- 
ward protraction of the boundary line marked by Scar1)orough and Calvert, ]\Iay 28, 
1668, at a point in the middle of Pocomoke River, and in the latitude 37° 59' 37", 



92 KOUNDARIES (W THE TTNITED STATES. [iui,i..22C. 

lonjjitudc 75° 87'' 4'''; thence b}' the Scarl)or()n<rh and Calvert line, which runs ">" In' 
north i>f east, to the Atlantic Ocean. 

Tlie latitudes, longitudes, courses, and distances luTe given have been nn-asured 
ujK)!! the Coast Chart No. 3.S of U. S. Coast Survey, sheet No. 8, Chesai>eake 75ay. 
* * * The middle thread of the Pocomoke Kiver and the low-water mark on 
the Potomac River are to be mea,sured from headland to headland, without con- 
sidering or following arms, inlets, creeks, bays, or allhient rivers. * * * {MtJr, 
U. S. Stat, at Large, Vol. XX, p. 481.) 

This award was ratified by the States of Maryland and N'iioinia. and 
contirnied b}^ Conofress in 18T0. 

Tn 1879-80 acts were passed by the legislatures of Maryland and 
Viro-inia to appoint comnnssioners and to request the General (rovern- 
ment to designate one or more officers of the Engineer Corps, said 
commissioners and officers to survey and mark said line and erect 
monuments thereon. 

West Virginia having been formed from a part of Virginia and 
admitted into the Union in 1862, the western ))oiindary of Maryland 
now separates it from the State of West Virginia. 

The commissioners appointed in 1859 by Virginia and Maryland 
(?vV7,^'p. 91) surveyed the western boundary from the "Fairfax Stone" 
(the first fountain of the Potomac) due north to the Pennsylvania line, 
and the legislature of Mar3'land in 1860 passed an act declaring that 
line to be its western boundar5\ 

From the "Fairfax Stone" the boundary between Marj^land and 
West Virginia runs along the south bank of the Potomac Kiver till it 
strikes the line between Virginia and West Virginia. 

(For a history of the placing of the Fairfax Stone, vide Virginia, 
p. 96.) 

DISTRICT OF COLUIMBIA. 

On the 5th day of September, 177-1, the Continental Congress met at 
Philadelphia. Two years later they adjourned to l^altimore. During 
the Revolution and subsequent to the treaty of peace the}' met in vari- 
ous places. After the close of the war much debate took place in 
regard to the location of a permanent seat of the Government of the 
United States. Several States made propositions to Congress, offering 
to cede certain lands for the purpose, but no determination of the loca- 
tion was made by Congress until 1790. 

Act of ce^^sioii fr(»n the State (>f Mari/hutd, ■paxxed Decemher 23, 17S8. 

On the 23d of December, 1788, the State of Maryland passed the 
following act, viz: 

Be it enacted by the general assemhly of Maryland, That the representatives of this 
Stiite in the House of Representatives of the Congress of the I'nited States, ap})ointed 
to assemble at New York on the first Wednesday of March next, be, and tliey are 
hereby, authorized and required on the behalf of this State to cede to the Congress of 
the United States any district in this State, not exceeding ten miles square, which the 
Congiess may lix ujion an<l accept for the seat of government of the United States. 



GANNETT.] DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. 93 

111 tho following year (Dcceiuber 3, 178J>), the State of Viroinia 
passed a similar act, of which the following is an extract: 

J>e if thercfurc enacted bi/ the general aMetnbli/, That a tract of country not exceetling 
ten miles siiuare or any lesser quantity, to be located within the limits of the State 
and in any part thereof as Congress may by law direct, shall be, and the same is here- 
by, forever ceded and relinquished to the Congress and Government of the United 
States, in full and absolute right and exclusive jurisdiction, as well of said soil as of 
persons residing or to reside thereon, pursuant to the tenor and effect of the eighth 
section of the 1st article of the Constitution of the Government of the United States. 

After long discussion, Congress in 1790, in view of the foregoing 
cessions of Maryland and ^^irginia, passed the following act, viz: 

AN ACT for establishing the temporary and permanent seat of government of the United States 

Approved July 16, 1790. 

Sect. 1. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of 
America, in Congress assembled, That a district of territory, not exceeding ten miles 
square, to be located as hereafter directed on the river Potowmac, at some jilace be- 
tween the mouth of the Eastern Branch and Connoyocheque, be, and the same is 
hercljy, accepted for the permanent seat of the government of the United States: 
Provided, nevertlielet^s, That the operation of the laws of the State within such district 
shall not be affected by this acceptance until the time fixed for the removal of the 
Government thereto, and until Congress shall otherwise l)y law provide. 

Sect. 2. And be itfurtJier enacted, That the President of the United States be author- 
ized to appoint, and, by supplying vacancies happening from refusals to act or other 
causes, to keep in appointment as long as may be necessary, three commissioners, 
who, or any two of whom, shall, under the direction of the President, survey, and by 
proper metes and bounds define and limit, a district of territory, under the limita- 
tions above mentioned; and the district so defined, limited, and located shall be 
deemed the district accepted by this act for the permanent seat of the Government of 
the United States. 

Sect. 3. ^Ind he it enacted, That the said commissioners, or any two of them, shall 
have power to purchase or accept such quantity of land on the eastern side of the 
saitl river within the said district as the President shall deem proper for the use of 
the United States, and according to such plans as the President shall approve. The 
said commissioners, oranj^ two of them, shall, prior to the first Monday in December 
in the year 1800, provide suitable buildings for the accommodatiou of Congress, and 
of the President, and for the public offices of the Government of the United States. 

Sect. 4. And be it enacted, That for defraying the expenses of such purchases and 
buildings the President of the United States be authorized and requested to accept 
grants of money. 

Sect. 5. And be it enacted. That prior to the first Monday in December next all offices 
attached to the seat of government of the United States shall be removed to, and 
until the first Monday in December in the year 1800 shall remain at, the city of Phila- 
delj^hia, in the State of Pennsylvania, at which place the session of Congress next 
ensuing the present shall be held. 

Sect. 6. And be it enacted, That on the first Monday in December, in the j'ear 1800, 
the seat of the Government of the United States shall, by virtue of this act, be trans- 
ferred to the district and jjlace aforesaid. And all offices attached to the said seat of 
government shall accordingly be removed thereto by their respective holders and 
shall, after the said ilay, cease to be exercised elsewhere, and that the necessary 
expense of said removal shall hv defrayed out of the duties on imposts and tonnage, 
of which a sufficient sum is hereby appropriated. 



94 HOUNUARIES OF THE UNITED STATES. [nru..226. 

Ill llic t'()ll()\viii<4' yt'iiv the Forcgoiiit^' uct was unicndccl, in order to 
include a portion of the Anacostia liivcr (*' Eawtern Branch"), and the 
town of Alexandria within the limits of the district. 

The foUowin*^ is the act of amendment: 

AN ACT to amend "Au act for establishing the temiiorary and permanent seat of government of the 
United States." Approved March 3, 1791. 

Be it enacted, ttc, That so much of the act entitled "An act for establishing the tem- 
porary and permanent seatof the Government of the United States" as requires that 
the whole of the district of territory, not exceeding ten miles scjuare, to be located on 
the river Potowmac for the permanent seat of the Government of the United States 
shall be located al>ove the mouth of the Eastern Branch be, and is hereby, repealed, 
and that it shall be lawful for the President to make an}- part of the territory below 
said limit and above the mouth of Hunting Creek a part of the said district, so as to 
include a convenient port of the Eastern Branch and of the lands lying on the lower 
side thereof, and also the town of Alexandria; and the territory so to be included 
shall form a part of the district not exceeding ten miles square for the permanent 
seat of the Government of the United States, in like manner and to all intents and 
purposes as if the same had been within the the purview of the above recited act: 
Provided, That nothing herein contained shall authorize the erection of the public 
buildings otherwise than on the Maryland side of the river Potowmac, as re(}uired 
by the aforesaid act. 

In pursuance of the foregoing- acts, three commissioners were 
appointed, who made preliminary survej^s of the territor}-, and on the 
30th day of March, 1791, George Washington, President of the United 
States, issued a proclamation, in which the bounds of the said District 
were defined as follows, viz: 

Beginning at Jones' Point, being the upper cape of Hunting Creek, in Virginia, and 
at an angle in the outset of 45° west of the north, and running in a direct line ten 
miles for the first line; then beginning again at the same Jones' Point and running 
another direct line at a right angle with the first, across the Potomac, ten miles for 
the second line; then, from the terminations of the said first and second lines, run- 
ning two other direct lines, of ten miles each, the one crossing the Potomac and the 
other the Eastern Branch aforesaid, and meeting each other in a i)oint. 

In 1800 Congress removed to this District. In the following 3^ear 
the District was divided into two counties, as follows, viz: 

UNITED STATKS STATUTES AT LARtiE, SIXTH CONGKESS, SECOND SESSION, 1801, 

(CH AFTER XV ). 

AN ACT concerning tlie District of Columbia. 

The said District of Columbia shall l)e formed into two counties. One county shall 
contain all that part of said district which lies on the east side of the river Potomac, 
together with the islands therein, and shall be called the county of Washington, the 
other county shall contain all that part of said District which lies on the west side of 
said river, and shall be called the county of Alexandria; and the said river, in its 
whole course through said District, shall be taken and deemed to all intents and 
purposes to be within both of said counties. 

In ISK) Congress passed an act retroceding to the State of Virginia 
that part of the District of Cohmibia originally ceded to the United 




Bull. 226 






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GANNETT] VIRGINIA. 95 

States b}- Vii'o-iiiiii. The followiiio- is uii extract from said act of 
retrocession: 

That Avith assent of the people of the county- and town of Alexandria, to be ascer- 
tained as hereinafter [)rescribed, all of that portion of the District of C'olunil)ia ceded 
to the ITnit'ed States by the State of Virginia, and all the rights and jurisdiction there- 
with ceded over the same, be, and the same are, hereljy ceded and forever relinquished 
to the State of Virginia in full and absolute right and jurisdiction, as well of soil as 
of persons residing or to reside thereon. 

VIRGINIA. 

In the year 1000 King- James I of England granted the "First Char- 
ter of Virginia.-' The lioundaries therein described ai-e as follows, viz: 

* * * Situate, lying, or being all along the sea coasts, between four and thirty 
degrees of northerly latitude from the ecpiinoctial line and five and forty degrees of 
the same latitude, and in the main land between the same four and thirty and five 
and forty degrees and the islands thereunto adjacent, or within one hundred miles 
of the coast thereof. * * * 

Soon after, in 1609, a new charter was granted, called the "Second 
Charter of Virginia," W'hich defines the boundaries in the following- 
terms: 

* * * Situate, lying, and heing in that part of America called Virginia, from 
the point of land called Cape or Point Comfort, all along the sea coast to the north- 
ward two hundred miles, and from the said point of Cape Comfort all along the sea 
coast to the southward two hundred miles, and all that space and circuit of land 
lying from the sea coast of the i)recinct aforesaid up into the land, throughout from 
sea to_sea, west and northwest, and also all the islands lying within one hundred 
miles along the coast of both seas of the precinct aforesaid. * * * 

In 1611-12 the "Third Charter of Virginia" was granted, which 
was an enlargement of the second, of which the following is an extract: 

All and singular those islands whatsoever, situate and being in any part of the 
ocean seas bordering ui)on the coast of our said first colony in Virginia, and being 
within three hundred leagues of any of the i)ortes heretofore granted to the said 
treasurer and company in our former letters-patents as aforesaid, and being within or 
between the one-aud-fortieth and thirtieth degrees of northerly latitude. 

These boundaries, as will be seen, included territory composing 
wliolly, or in part, the present States of Pennsylvania, Delaware, 
Mar} land, North and South Carolina, in addition to others formed 
since the Revolution. 

This large extent of territory was reduced in the first instance by 
the charter of Maryland in 1632, next bj' the charters of Carolina in 
1663 and 1665, then by the charter of Pennsylvania in 1681, and, again, 
subsequent to the Revolution, by the cession to the United States of 
the territoiy northwest of the Ohio River in 1781, by the admission 
of Kentucky as an independent State in 1792, and lastly by the division 
of the territory of Virginia in 1862, by which the new State of West 
Virginia was created and admitted into the Union. 



96 BOUNDARIES OF THE UNITED STATES. fiuTi.L.22C. 

By the constitution of 1770 Virginia foiniiilly <;av(>, up uU claim to 
the territory now appertaining to the neighl)oring States of Maryland, 
Pennsylvania, North and South Carolina. 

The follovv^ing is an extract from the Virginia constitution of 177G: 

The territories contained within the cliurters erecting the colonies of Maryland, 
Pennsylvaniii, North and South Carolina are herel)y ceded, released, and forever 
conlirnied to the people of these colonies, respectively, with all the rights of prop- 
erty, jurisdiction, and governiueut, and all the rights whatsoever which might at 
any time heretofore have been claimed by Virginia, except the fret^ navigation and 
use of the Rivers PotonuKpie and Pokomoke, with the proj)erty of the Virginia shores 
and strands bordering on either of said rivers, and all improvements which have 1)een 
or shall be made thereon. The western and northern extent of Virginia shall, in all 
other respects, stand as fixed by the charter of King James I, in the year one thou- 
sand six hundred and nine, and by the public treaty of peace betw'een the courts of 
Britain and France in the year one thousand seven hundred and sixty-three, unless 
by act of the legislature one or more governments be established westwards of the 
Alleghany Mountains. 

In the mean time a grant of territory had been made within the 
present limits of Virginia and West Virginia, which caused great dis- 
satisfaction to the people of the Virginia Colonj^, and which ultimately 
had an important bearing in settling the divisional line between Mary- 
land and Virginia. 

In the 21st year of Charles II a grant was made to Lord Hapton and 
others of what is called the northern neck of Virginia, which was sold 
by the other patentees to Lord Culpeper and confirmed to him ])y let- 
ters-patent in the fourth year of James II. This grant carried with it 
nothing but the right of soil and incidents of ownership, it being 
expressly subjected to the jurisdiction of the government of Virginia. 
The tract of land thereb}^ granted was "bounded b}' and within the 
heads of the rivers Tappahannock, alias Rappahannock, and Quiriough, 
alias Patomac, rivers." On the death of Lord Culpeper this proprie- 
tary tract descended to Lord Fairfax, who had married Lord Cul- 
peper's only daughter. 

As early as 1729 difficulties s]irung up, arising from conflicting grants 
from Lord Fairfax and the Crown. 

In 1730 Virginia petitioned the King, reciting that the head springs 
of the Rappahannock and Potomac Rivers were not known, and pray- 
ing that such measures might be taken that the}' might be ascertjiined 
to the satisfaction of all parties. 

In 1733 Lord Fairfax made a similar petition, asking that a commis- 
sion might issue for running out, marking, and ascertaining tlio true 
boundaries of his grant. 

An order, accordingh", was issued and three commissioners were 
appointed on the part of the Crown and three on the part of Lord 
Faii'fax. 

The dutj' which devolved upon these commissioners was to ascertain 



GANNETT.] VIRGINIA. 97 

l)y actual examination and survey the respective fountains of the Rap- 
pahannock and Potomac rivers. This survey was made in 1736. 

The report of the commissioners was referred to the council for plan- 
tation affairs in 1738, who reported their decision in 174.5, as follows, 
viz: 

* * * The said boundary ought to begin at the first spring of the south branch 
of the river Rappaliannock, and that the said boundary be from thence drawn in a 
straight line nortlivvest to tlie place in the Alleghany Mountains where that part of 
the Potomac River, which is now called Cohongoroota, first rises. * * * 

This report was confirmed b}^ the King, and commissioners were 
appointed to run and mark the dividing line accordingly. 

The line was run in 17J:6. On the 17th day of October, 174^), they 
planted the Fairfax stone at the spot which had been described and 
marked by the preceding commissioners as the true head spring of the 
Potomac River, and which, notwithstanding much controversy, has 
continued to be regarded, from that period to the present time, as the 
southern point of the western boundary between Virginia and Mary- 
land. ( Vide Faulkner's Report to Governor of Virginia, 1832. For 
full details, vide Bj^rd Papers, 1866, Vol. II, p. 83 et seq. Also 
Hening's Va. Statutes.) 

This tract of country was held by Lord Fairfax and his descendants 
man}^ years, Vjut subsequent to the Revolution the quitrents, charges, 
etc., were abolished, and it became in all respects subject to the juris- 
diction of Virginia. 

(For the history of the settlement of the boundary lines between 
Virginia and Maryland, vide Maryland, p. 89.) 

(For a histor}^ of the boundary between Virginia and Pennsylvania, 
vide Pennsylvania, p. 85.) 

Kentucky formed originally a part of the county of Fincastle, Vir- 
ginia. In the year 1776 this county was divided into three counties, 
the westernmost of which was called Kentucky County, and its eastern 
boundary was declared to be as follows, viz: 

A line beginning on the Ohio, at the mouth of Great Sandy Creek, and running 
up the same and the main or northeasterly branch thereof to the Great Laurel Ridge 
or Cumberland Mountains; thence southwesterly along the said mountain to the line 
of North Carolina. (See Hening's Statutes, Virginia, vol. 9, p. 257.) 

Kentuckj" having been admitted into the Union June 1, 1792, com- 
missioners were appointed in 1798 by Virginia and Kentuck}^ to fix the 
boundary. In 1799-1800 the commissioners' report was made and rati- 
fied by the States. It was as follows, viz: 

To begin at the point where the Carolina, now Tennes.see, line crosses the top of the 
Cumberland Mountains, near Cumberland Gap, thence northeastwardly along the top 
or highest part of the said Cumljerland Mountain, keeping between the headwaters 
of Cumberland and Kentucky rivers, on the west side thereof, and the headwaters 
of Powell's and Guest's rivers, and the Pond Fork of Sandy, on the east side thereof, 
continuing along the said top, or highest part of said mountain, crossing the road 



98 BOUNDARIES OF THE UNITED STATES. [bull. 226. 

leading over the .same at tlie Little I'aiiit Gap, where l)y some it is called the Hollow 
Mountain and where it terminates at tlm West Fork of Sandy, commonly called Rus- 
sell's Fork, thence with a line to be run north 45° cast till it intersects the other great 
principal branch of Sandy, commonly called the northeastwardly branch, thence 
down the said northeastwardly branch to its junction with the main west branch and 
down Main Sandy to its confluence with the Ohio. (See Shepard's Virginia, vol. 2, 
p. 234.) 

It will be seen that the latter part of this line is the present line 
between West Virg-inia and Kentucky. 

(For the history of the settlement of the boundaries l)etween Virginia 
and North Carolina, vide North Carolina, vide p. 100.) 

In 1779 Virginia and North Carolina appointed commissioners to run 
the boundary line between the two States west of the Allegheny Moun- 
tains, on the parallel of 36° 30'. The commissioners were unable to 
agree on the location of the parallel; they therefore ran two parallel 
lines two miles apart, the northern known as Henderson's, and claimed 
by North Carolina, the southern known as Walker's line, and claimed 
by Virginia. In the year 1789 North Carolina ceded to the United States 
all territory west of her present boundaries, and Tennessee being 
formed from said ceded territory, this question became one between 
Virginia and Tennessee. 

Commissioners having been appointed b}- Virginia and Tennessee to 
estal:)lish the boundary, their report was adopted in 1803, and was as 
follows, viz: 

A due west line equally distant from both Walker's and Henderson's, beginning on 
the summit of the mountain generally known as White Top INIountain, where the 
northeast corner of Tennessee terminates, to the top of the Cumberland JMountain, 
where the southwestern corner of Virginia terminates. 

In 1871 Virginia passed an act to appoint commissioners to adjust 
this line. 

Tennessee the following year, in a very emphatic manner, passed a 
resolution refusing to reopen a question regarding a boundary which 
she considered "fixed and established- beyond dispute forever." (See 
acts of Temiessee, 1872.) 

Up to 1783 Virginia exercised jurisdiction over a large tract of coun- 
try northwest of the Ohio River. But by a deed executed March 1, 
1784, she ceded to the United States all territory lying northwest of 
the Ohio River, thus making her Avestern boundary the west bank of 
the Ohio River. 

On the 31st of December, 1862, the State of Virginia was divided, 
and 48 counties, composing the western part of the State, were made 
the new State of West Virginia. By an act of Congress in 1866, con- 
sent was given to the transfer of two additional counties from Virginia 
to West Virginia. 

In 1873 and 1877 commissioners were appointed by each State to 
determine the true boundaries between the two States, and the General 




"<^;s 




Bull. 2l'6— 04 11 



GANXETT.] WEST VIRGINIA. ^^--^"'^^ 99 

Government was asked to detail otiicers oPeiigineers to aet with said 
commissioners in surveying and tixiiig^e line. 

Until their reportis at hand \hy6 boundary can only be found by 
following the old county lines. In view of the expectation of such 
report at an early day, it has not been thought best to go into an 
examination of the old county lines, 

WEST VIRGINIA. 

This State was set off from Virginia on December 81, 1862. It was 
originally formed of those counties of Virginia which had refused to 
join in the secession movement. It was admitted to the Union as a 
separate State June 19, 1863. It originally contained the following 
counties: Barbour, Boone, Braxton, Brooke, Cabell, Calhoun, Cla}', 
Doddridge, Fa3^ette, Gilmer, Greenbrier, Hampshire, Hancock, Hardy, 
Harrison, Jackson, Kanawha, Lewis, Logan, Marion, Marshall, Mason, 
McDowell, Mercer, Monongalia, Monroe, Morgan, Nicholas, Ohio, 
Pendleton, Pleasants, Pocahontas, Preston, Putnam, Raleigh, Ran- 
dolph, Ritchie, Roane,Taylor. Tucker, Tyler, Upshur, Wa3aie. Webster, 
Wetzel, Wirt, Wood, W^^oming. 

In 1866 it was enlarged by the two counties of Berkeley and Jeffer- 
son, transferred from Virginia. Its boundaiy with Virginia is made 
up of boundary lines of the border counties above enumerated, and 
can be defined only b}^ reference to the laws by which these counties 
were created. In the constitution of 1872, after a recapitulation of 
the counties which were transferred from Virginia to West Virginia, 
is found the following clause defining the boundaries upoii the south 
and west. 

The State of West Virginia includes the bed, bank, and shores of the Ohio River 
and so much of the Big Sandy River as was formerly included in the Commonwealth 
of Virginia, and all territorial rights and property in and jurisdiction over the same 
heretofore reserved by and vested in the Commonwealth of Virginia are vested in 
and shall hereafter be exercised by the State of West Virginia, and such parts of the 
said beds, banks, and shores as lie opposite and adjoinnigthe several counties of this 
State shall form |)arts of said several counties respectively. 

(For a history of the boundaries of West Virginia, ?;«W<? Pennsylvania, 
p. 86; Mar3dand, p. 89; Virginia, p. 96.) 

NORTH CAROLINA. 

In the year 1663 the "tirst charter of Carolina" was granted, which, 
two j^ears later, in 1665, was enlarged b}^ the ''second charter of 
Carolina.'' 

The following extracts from these two charters detine the boundaries: 

Cliarter of Carolina, 166S. 

* * * All that territory or tract of ground, scituate, lying and being within our 
dominions of .\merica, extending from the north end of the island called Lucke Island, 



lOU l^orNDAKIKS OF TH?: TtNITP:D states, [Bvi.h.-m. 

which Heth in the HuutliL'iu Viryiuiii .seai^, and within >-ix and tliirl y (h-j:rfcs of the 
northern latitude, and to the west as far as the south seas, and so sontlicily as far us 
the river Saint Matthias, which bordereth on the coast of Florida, an<l within one 
and thirty degrees of northern latitude, and so west in a direct line as far as the south 
seas aforesaid. * * * 

CJutrfer of ('nro/iini. IUH'i. 

* * * All that province, territory, or tract of land, scituate, lying or iH-ing in 
our dominions oi America, aforesaid, extending north and eastward as far as the 
north end of Currituck River, or inlet, upon a strait westerly line t(j Wyonoke Creek, 
which lies within or about the degrees of thirty-six and thirty minutes, northern 
latitude, and so west in a direct line as far as the south seas. * * * 

This is an extension of the charter of 1003, ])y which it8 northern 
boundarj^ was removed from the approximate latitude of 30^ to 36 " 30', 
on which parallel it is now approximately established. Although the 
exact year in which the division of the province of Carolina into the 
two provinces of North and South Carolina appears somewhat uncer- 
tain, 1 find it generally put down as 1729. The division line l)etween 
the two provinces, North and South Carolina, appears to have been 
established b}^ mutual agreement. 

In the constitution of North Carolina of 1770 this line is defined as 
shown in the sul)ioined extract: 

The property of the soil, in a free government, being one of the essential riglits of 
the collective body of the people, it is necessary, in order to avoid future disputes, 
that the limits of the State should be ascertained with precision; and as the former 
temporary line between North and South Carolina was confirmed an<l extended by 
commissioners appointed by the legislatures of the two States, agreeable to the order 
of the late King Ceorge II in council, that line, and that only, should l)e esteemed 
the southern boundary of this State; that is to say, beginning on the sea side at a 
cedar stake, at or near the mouth of Little River (being the southern extremity of 
Brunswic County ), and running from thence a northwest course through the boundary 
house, which stands in thirty-three degrees fifty-six minutes, to thirty-five degrees 
north latitude, and from thence a west course so far as is mentioned in the charter 
of King Charles II to the late proprietors of Carolina. Therefore, all the territory, 
seas, waters, and harbours, with their appurtenances, lying between the line above 
described, and the southern line of the State of Virginia, which liegins on the sea 
shore, in thirty-six degrees thirty minutes north latitude, and from thence runs west, 
agreeable to the said charter of King Charles, are the right and property of the 
people of the State, to be held by them in sovereignty, any partial line, without 
the consent of the legislature of this State, at any time thereafter directed or laid 
out in anywise notwithstanding. 

On December 2, 1789, the legislature passed an act ceding to the 
United States its western lands, now constituting the State of Tennes- 
see. On February 25, 1790, the deed was offered, and on April 2 of 
the same year it was accepted by the United States, 

In the Revised Statutes the north and south boundaries of the State 
are claimed to be as follows: The northern boundary-, the parallel of 
36° 30'; the southern boundary, a line running northwest from Goat 
Island on the coast in latitude 33^ 56' to the parallel of 35^, and thence 
along that parallel to Tennessee; while the western boundary is the 



GANNETT.] NORTH CAROLINA. 101 

Smoky ^Mountains. It is stranoe that the Revised Statutes should con- 
tain sueh a statement ot" tiie l)oundar3' lines when it is thorougidy well 
known that it is incorreet, especially as regards the southei'u boundary. 
In the case of the northern l)oundary the intention has been from the 
earliest colonial times down to the present to establish a line upon the 
})arallel of Si'y 3i>'. This is found to be the wording- of every legislative 
act relating to it, and the errors of this boundary are due simply to 
errors in surveying and location. The following l)rief and comprehen- 
sive sketch of the north and south boundary lines bf this State, and of 
the various attempts made to locate them, is taken from Pi'ofessor 
Kerr's "•Geology of North Carolina," Vol. I. page 'i: 

"The lirst and only serious attempt to ascertain the northern l)()nn<lary was that 
made in 1728, hy Col. Wm. Byrd, and others, commissioners on the part of the two 
eolonies, acting under royal authority. From the account given by Byrd of this 
undertaking, it appears that they started from a point on the coast whose position 
they determined by observation to be in 36° 31^, north latitude, and ran due west 
(correcting for the variation of the compass), to Nottoway River, where they made 
an offset of a half mile to the mouth of that stream, again running west. The line 
was run and marked 242 miles from the coast, to a point in Stokes County, on the 
upper waters of the Dan River (on Peter's Creek) the North Carolina commissioners 
accompanying the party only about two-thirds of the distance. Beyond this point, 
the line w^as carried some 90 miles by another joint commission of the two colonies in 
174i1; tins survey, terminating at Steep Rock Creek, on the east of Stone Mountain, 
and near the present northwest corner of the State, was estimated to be 329 miles 
from the coast. In 1779 the line was taken up again at a point on Steep Rock Creek, 
determined by observation to be on the parallel of 36° 30' (the marks of the previous 
survey having disappeared entirely), and carried west to and beyond Bristol, Ten- 
nessee. This last is known as the Walker line, from one of the commissioners of 
Virginia. --*' 

These lines were run and the latitude observations taken with very imperfect 
instruments, and the variation of the compass was little understood, so that it was 
not i)ossible to trace a parallel of latitude. The line, besides, was only marked on 
the trees and soon disappeared, and as the settlements were very scattered the loca- 
tion soon became a matter of vague tradition and presently of contention and litiga- 
tion, so that in 1858, at the instance of Mrginia, commissioners were appointed to 
relocate the line from the end of the Byrd survey westward, but for some reason 
they did not act. In 1870 commissioners w'ere again appointed l)y Virginia and 
similar action asked on the part of this State; and the proposition was renewed in 
1871, but ineffectually, as before. In all these numerous attempts to establish the 
line of division between the two colonies and States, the intention and the specific 
instructions have been to ascertain and mark, as the boundary of the two States, tJte 
parallel o/36° 30'. The maps imblished towards the end of last century by Jefferson 
and others give that parallel as the line, and the bill of rights of North Carolina 
claims that "all the territory lying between the line above described (the line 
between North and South Carolina) and the southern line of the State of Virginia, 
which begins on the seashore in 36° 30' north latitude, and from thence runs west, 
agreeably to the charter of King Charles, are the right and property of this State." 
But it appears from the operations of the United States Coast Survey at both ends of 
the line that the point of beginning on Currituck Inlet, instead of being, as so con- 
stantly assumed, in latitude 36° 30', or as determined by the surveyors in 1728, 36° 
31' is 36° 33' 15", and the western end (of "the Walker line," of 1779, at Bristol, 
Tenn. ) 36° 34' 25.5". It is stated in Bvrd's Journal that the variation of the com- 



102 BOUNDARIES OB^ THE UNITED STATES. [uri.i.._>26. 

pasH was ascertained to be a little less than ;^° W. [The niagnetii; chart i>f the 
United States Coast Survey would make it 8° V..] And no account is given of any 
pubsetiuent correction, and if none was made at the end of the line surveyed by him 
the course woul<i have been in error })y nearly 3°, as tlie amount of variation in this 
State changes a little more than 1° for every 100 miles of easting or westing. So 
that the northern boundary of the State as run is not only iKjt the parallel of 36° 3(K 
but is far from coincident with any parallel of latitude, and must be a succession of 
curves, with their (concavities northward and connected at their ends l)y north and 
south offsets. 

The southern boundary between this State and South Carolina and Georgia was 
first esta])lished by a joint colonial commission in 1735 to 1746. The commissioners 
run a line from Goat Island on the coast (in latitude 33° 56^ as supposed) NW. to the 
parallel of 35°, according to their observations, and then due west to within a few 
miles of the Catawba River, and here, at the old Salisbury and Charleston road, 
turned north along that road to the southeast corner of the Catawba Indian lands. 
This line, resurveyed in 1764, was afterwards (in 1772) continued along the eastern 
and northern boundaries of the Catawba lands to the point where the latter inter- 
sects the Catawba River; thence along and up that river to the mouth of the South 
Fork of the Catawba, and thence due west, as supposed, to a point near the Blue 
Ridge. This part of the line was resurveyed and confirmed by commissioners under 
acts of assembly of 1803, 1804, 1806, 1813, 1814, and 1815, and continued west to and 
along the Saluda Mountains and the Blue Ridge to the intersection of the " Cherokee 
boundary " of 1797, and thence in a direct line to the Chatooga River at its intersec- 
tion with the parallel of 35°. From this point the line was run west to the Tennes- 
see line, between this State and (ieorgia, in 1807, and tontirmed and estal>lished by 
act of 1819. 

The boundary between this State and Tennessee was run, according to the course 
designated in the act of 1789, entitled ' ' An act for the purpose of ceding to the United 
States certain western lands therein described " (the State of Tennessee) ; that is, along 
the crest of the Smoky Mountains, from the Virginia line to the Cataluche River (in 
Haywood County), in 1799, under act of 1796. It was continued from this point to the 
Georgia line in 1821. The commissioners who completed this line, at the date last- 
mentioned, instead of following their instructions, diverged from the crest of the 
Smoky (Unaka) Mountains at the intersection of the Hiwassee turnpike, and run (hw 
south to the (ieorgia line, thereby losing for the State the valuable mining region 
since know-n as Ducktown. 

And as to the southern boundary, the point of beginning on Goat Island is in latitude 
33° 51' 37'^, as shown by the coast survey, and instead of running from Goat Island 
northwest to latitude of 35° and thence along that parallel, it appears, from the 
South Carolina geographical State survey of 1821-25, that the course from the start- 
ing point is N. 47° 30' W., and instead of pursuing the parallel of 35° it turns west 
about 10 miles south of that line, and then on approaching the Catawba River, turns 
northward pursuing a xigzag line to the forks of the Catawl)a River, which is about 
12 miles north of that parallel; and from this point to the mountains the boundary 
line (of 1772) runs, not west, but N. 88° W., bringing its western end about 17 miles 
too far north, and reaching the (supposed) parallel of 35° at a distance of about 130 
miles east of the Catawba River. The loss of territory resulting from these singular 
deviations is probably between 500 and 1,000 square miles. 

The following extract from the constitution of ITiXi, of Tennessee, 
defines the eastern boundary of that State, which is the western bound- 
ary of North Carolina, us it was intended to be run and marked: 

Beginning on the extreme height of the Stone Mountain at the place where the 
line of Virginia intersects it in latitude thirty-six degrees and thirty minutes north: 



GANNETT.] NORTH CAKOLIISIA SOUTH CAROLINA. 103 

running thence along the extreme heiglit of the said mountain to tiu; place where 
Watauga River breaks through it; thence a direct course to the top of the Yellow 
Mountain, where Bright' s road crosses the same; thence along the ridge of said 
mountain between the waters of Doe River and the waters of Rock Creek, to the 
place where the road crosses the Iron Mountain; from thence along the extreme 
height of said mountain to where Nolichucky River runs through the same; thence to 
the top of the Bald ]\iountain; thence along the extreme height of said mountain to 
the I'ainted Rock o'- French Broad River; thence along the highest ridge of said 
mountain to the place where it is called the ( Treat Iron or Smoky Mountain; thence 
along the extreme height of said mountain to the place where it is called Unicoi or 
Unaka Mountain between the Indian towns of Cowee and Old Chota; thence along 
the main ridge of the said mountain to the southern bounday of this State as 
described in the act of cession of North Carolina to the United States of America. 

In 1879 the legi.sliiture passed an act to appoint commissioners to 
make a surve}' from the northeast corner of Georgia westward. This 
point of conmiencement is common to North Carolina, Sonth Carolina, 
and Georgia. 

In ISSl the legislature passed another act providing for the appoint- 
ment of a commissioner, who shonid act with commissioners from Vir- 
ginia, Sonth Carolina, Georgia, or Tennessee to re-run and re-mark the 
boundaries between North Carolina and the other States. 

SOUTH CAROLINA. 

The territory' included in the present State of South Carolina was 
included in the charter of Carolina, which also embraced what is now 
the State of Georgia. ( Mde North Carolina, p. 99.) 

In 1Y29 the province of Carolina was divided, forming the two prov- 
inces of North Carolina and South Carolina. In 1732 the extent of 
South Carolina was reduced bv the charter of Georgia. ( Mde Georgia, 

(Foi a histor}' of the settlement of the boundary between North Car- 
olina and South Carolina, vide North Carolina, p. 99.) 

By the charter of Georgia the line between South Carolina and Geor- 
gia was to ])e the Savannah River, to the head thereof. In 1702 difficul- 
ties having arisen concerning the interpretation of the charter, as 
regarded the head of the Savannah, and also the title to the lands south 
of the Altamaha Iii\'er. Georgia made complaint to the King, who 
issued a proclamation in 1763 giving the lands between the Altamaha 
and Saint Mary's rivers to Georgia. The question of the boundary on 
the Savannah, however, remained unsettled until 1787, when a conven- 
tion between the two States was held at Beaufort, S. C, to determine 
the same, and the line was fixed as at present. 

The following is an extract from the articles of agreement: 

The most northern branch or stream of tiie river Savannah from the sea or mouth 
of such stream to the fork or confluence of the rivers now called Tugaliio and Keowa, 
and from thence the most northern Itranch or stream of the said river Tugaloo till it 
intersects the northern lioundary line of South Carolina, if the said branch or stream 



104 BOUNDARIES OF THE UNITED STATES. [Bri.i,.226. 

of Tugaloo extends so far north, reserving all the islands in the saiil rivers Savannah 
and Tugaloo to Georgia; but if the head spring or sonree of any branch or stream of 
the said river Tngaloo does not extend to the north V)fiundarv line of South Carolina, 
then a west line to the Mississippi, to l)e drawn from the head spring or source of the 
said branch or stream of Tugaloo Kiver which extends to the highest northern latitude, 
shall forever hereafter form the separation, limit, and boundary between the States 
of South Carolina and Georgia. (Laws of the United States, Vol. I, p. 466.) 

In the .same year South Carolina ceded to the United States a nar- 
row .strip of territory south of the North Carolina line, which she 
claimed, about 12 or 14 miles wide, and extending to the Mi.s.sissippi 
River; this strip now forms the northern portion of Georgia, AlaT)ama, 
and Mississippi. Georgia being thus increased in extent northwardly, 
the line between the two States is clearly expressed in the code of 
South Carolina, as follows, yiz: 

The Savannah Kiver, from its entrance into the ocean to the confluence of the Tug- 
aloo and Keowa rivers; thence by the Tugaloo River to the confluence of the Tugaloo 
and Chatooga rivers; thence by the Chatooga River to the North Carolina line in 
the thirty-fifth degree of north latitude, the line l)eing low-water mark at the south- 
ern shore of the most northern stream of said rivers, where the middle of the rivers 
is broken by islands, and middle thread of the stream where the rivers flow in one 
stream or volume. 

GEORGIA. 

Georgia was included in the proprietary charter granted to the lords 
proprietors of Carolina in 1663 and 1665, for which a proyincial charter 
was substituted in 1710. 

In 1732 the charter of Georgia as an independent colony was granted 
by King George II, of which the following is an extract: 

All those lands, countrys, and territories situate, lying and being in that part of 
South Carolina, in America, whicb lies from the most northern part of a stream or 
river there, commonly called the Savannah, all along the sea-coast to the southward, 
unto the most southern stream of a certain other great water or river called the Alta- 
maha, and westerly from the heads of the said rivers, respectively, in direct lines to 
the south seas. 

This charter was surrendered in 17-52 and a provincial government 
established. (C. & C, p. 369 et s.-g.) 

In 1763 the territorj' between the Altamaha and Saint Mary's rivers 
was added to Georgia by roval proclamation. ( V/'de South C^arolina, 
p. 103.) 

In the constitution adopted by Georgia in 1708 the boundaries are 
declared. The following is an extract therefrom: 

The limits, boundaries, jurisdictions, and authority of the State of Georgia do, and 
did, and of right ought to extend from the sea or mouth of the river Savannah along 
the nortliern branch or stream thereof, to the fork or confluence of the rivers now 
called Tugalo and Keowee, and from thence along the most northern branch or stream 
of the said river Tugalo, till it intersect the northern boundary line of South Caro- 
lina, if the said branch or stream of Tugalo extends so far north, reserving all the 



U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 



BULLETIN NO. 226 PL. XXXVIII 



T E N N. J" N- C A R. 




HISTORICAL DIAGRAM OF GEORGIA. 



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HISTORICAL DIAGRAM OF MISSISSIPPI. 



GANNETT] GEORGIA. 105 

islands in the said rivers Savannah and Tujialo to Georgia; but if the head, spring, or 
source of any branch or stream of the said river Tugalo does not extend to the north 
boundary hue of South Carolina, then a west line to the Mississippi, to be drawn 
from the head, spring, or source of the said branch or stream of Tugalo River, which 
extends to the highest northern latitude; thence down the middle of the said river 
Mississippi until it shall intersect the northernmost part of the thirty-first degree of 
north latitude, south by a line drawn due east from the termination of the line last 
mentioned, in the latitude of thirty-one degrees north of the equator, to the middle 
of the river Apalachicola or Chatahoochee; thence along the middle thereof, to its 
junction with Flint River; thence straight to the head of Saint Mary's River, and 
thence, along the middle of Saint Mary's River, to the Atlantic Ocean, and from 
thence to the mouth or inlet of Savannali River, the place of beginning, including 
and comprehending all the lands and waters within the said limits, boundaries, and 
jurisdictional rights; and also all the islands within twenty leagues of the seacoast. 

In 1802 Georgia entered into articles of agreement and cession with 
the United States, whereby Georgia ceded to the United States the 
lands west of her present boundaries, and the United States ceded to 
Georgia that part of the South Carolina cession of 1787 which lies east 
of the present western boundary of Georgia. The following extracts 
show the limits of the two cessions: 

The State of Georgia cedes to the United States all the right, title, and claim which 
the said State has to the jurisdiction and soil of the lands situated within the bound- 
aries of the United States, south of the State of Tennessee and west of a line begin- 
ning on the western bank of the Chatahoui-hee River where the same crosses the 
boundary line between the United States and Spain; running thence up the said river 
Chatahouchee, and along the western bank thereof to the great bend thereof, next 
above the place where a certain creek or river, called " Uchee" (being the first con- 
siderable stream on the western side, above the Cussetas and Coweta towns), empties 
into the said Chatahouchee River; thence in a direct line to Nickajack, on the Ten- 
nessee River; thence crossing the said last-mentioned river, and thence running up 
the said Tennessee River and along the western bank thereof to the southern bound- 
ary line of the State of Tennessee. 

******* 

The United States * * * cede to the State of Georgia * * * the lands 
* * * situated south of the southern boundaries of the States of Tennessee, North 
Carolina, and South Carolina, and east of the boundary line herein above described 
as the eastern boundary of the territory ceded by Georgia to the United States. 

For a history of the boundary between Georgia and South Carolina, 
vide South Carolina, p. 103. 

The history of the boundary" between North Carolina and Georgia 
has already been given {vide North Carolina, p. 100). It ma3' be 
proper, however, to add that this line (the thirty-fifth degree of north 
latitude) was fixed by the cession, above detailed, from the United 
States to Georgia of that part of the South Carolina cession east of 
the present western boundary of Georgia. 

A long controversy ensued between Georgia and North Carolina, 
with no results, however, until in 1810 Georgia empowered her gov- 
ernor to employ Mr. Andrew Ellicott to ascertain the true location of 
Bull. 226—04 12 



lOfi BOUNDARIES OF THE UNITED STATES. [m'i,L.2'26. 

the thirty-lil'tli deo-rco ol" latitude. Ellicottdid so, and the, point tixcd 
by him was acquiesced in. ( Vide C()))l)'s (ireorgia Digest, p. 150.) 

The boundary between Georj^ia and 'renness(;e was estal>lisli('d in 
1818, and is as follows, viz, the thirty-tifth parallel of north latitude, 
beginning and ending as follows: 

Beginning at a point in the true parallel of the thirty-lifth degree of north latitude, 
as found by James Cormack, mathematician on the jiart of the State of Gef)rgia, and 
James S. Gaines, mathematicdan on the part of the State of Tennessee, f)n a rock 
about two feet high, four inches thick, and fifteen inches broad, engraved on the 
north side thus: "June 1st, 181.S; var. 6| east," and on the south side thus: "(tco. 85 
North; J. Cormack," Avhich rock stands one mile and twenty-eight poles from the 
south bank of the Tennessee River, due south from near the center of the old Indian 
town of Nickajack, and near the top of the Nickajack Mountain, at the supposed 
corner of the State of Georgia and Alabama; thence running due east, leaving old 
D. Ross two miles and eighteen yards in the State of Tennessee, and leaving the 
house of John Ross about two hundred yards in the State of Georgia, and the house 
of David McNalr one mile and one-fourth of a mile in the State of Tennessee, with 
blazed and mile-marked trees, lessening the variation of the compass by degrees, 
closing it at the termination of the line on the top of the Unicoi Mountain at five 
and one-half degrees. ( Vide C. Stat, of Tenn., pp. 243-244. ) 

The boundary between Georgia and Florida was fixed b}^ the treaty 
of 1783, between the United States and Great Britain, substantially as 
at present, viz: Commencing in the middle of the Apalachicola or 
Catahouche River, on the thirty-first degree of north latitude; thence 
along the middle thereof to its junction with the Flint River; thence 
straight to the head of Saint Marys River, and thence down along the 
middle of Saint Marys River to the Atlantic Ocean. ( Vide treat}^ of 
1783.) This boundary was affirmed by the treaty of 1795 between the 
United States and Spain, and commissioners were appointed to run the 
entire line between the United States and the Spanish territory. ( Vide 
treaty of 1795.) 

In 1819 Spain ceded the Floridas to the United States. In 1822 
Florida was made a Territor}^, and in 1825 was admitted into the Union^ 
as an independent State. 

In 1826 Congress took action as indicated below: 

UNITED STATES STATUTES AT LARGE, NINETEENTH CONGRESS, SESSION I, 1826. 

AN ACT to authorize the President of the United States to run and mark a Hue dividing the Territory 
of Florida from the State of Georgia. 

The line shall be run straight from the junction of said rivers Chatahoochie and 
Flint, to the point designated as the head of Saint Marys River. 

This boundary line was long unsettled, a controversy arising con- 
cerning the true point to be considered to be the head of the Saint 
Marys River, as Georgia contended that the point fixed upon by the 
Spanish and American commissioners under the treaty of 1795 was 
incorrect. This line was run in 1825 by the General Land Office. 



GANNETT.] GEORGIA. 107 

111 1859 commissioners were appointed by Georgia and Florida to rerun 
the line. Florida ratified their report in 1861, and Georgia in 1860. 

The detailed report of the commissioners is not at hand, but the line is 
declared in the Statutes of Georgia, as follows, viz: 

From a jjoint on the western bank of the Chattahochee River in the 31st degree 
of north latitude; thence along the line or limit of high-water mark to its junction 
with the Flint River; thence along a certain line of survey made by Gustavus J. Orr, 
a surveyor on the part of Georgia, and W. Whitner, a surveyor on the part of Florida, 
beginning at a four-and-aft tree, aboutfour chains below the present junction; thenc;e 
along this line east, to a point designated thirty-seven links north of Ellicotts 
Mound on the St. Marys River; thence along the middle of said river to the Atlantic 
Ocean. ( Vide Code of Ga., 1873, p. 7. ) 

This line is also given in the Code of Florida, and differs in one re- 
spect, viz, from the thirty-hrst degree of north latitude down the middle 
of said river to its confluence with the Flint River, etc. ( Vide Code of 
Florida, 1873.) 

The line between Georgia and Alabama was fixed by the act of ces- 
sion of Georgia to the United States in 1802. 

In 1822-25, Georgia desiring to have the line run from the Chatta- 
hoochee to where it strikes the Tennessee line, appointed commissioners 
for that purpose, and requested the cooperation of Alabama and the 
United States, both, however, failing to take action. The Georgia com- 
missioners ran the line from Nickajack, on the Tennessee line, to Mil- 
lers Bend, on the Chattahoochee. (For a histoiy of the controversy 
concerning this line, vide Laws of Georgia, 1822-24-25-26.) 

Alabama protested against the above line and made repeated efforts 
to reopen negotiations concerning it, to all of which Georgia sturdily 
refused to accede, until finally, January 24, 1840, the legislature of 
Alabama passed the following joint resolution, viz: 

Resolved, That the State of Alabama will, and do, hereby accept, as the true dividing 
line between this State and that of Georgia, the line which was run and marked out 
by the commissioners of Georgia in 1826, beginning at what is called Millers Bend, 
on the Chattahoochee River; thence along said marked line to Nickajack. 

The line is given in the Code of Alabama in the following words, viz: 

The boundary line between Alabama and Georgia commences on the west side of 
the Chattahoochee River at the point where it enters the State of Florida; from 
thence up the river, along the western bank thereof, to the point on. Millers Bend 
next above the place where the Uchee Creek empties into such river; thence in a di- 
rect line to Nickajack. (See Code of Alabama, 1876, p. 189.) 

In James's Handbook of Georgia, 1876, p. 121, is the following 
description of the western boundary of Georgia, viz: 

From Nickajack the line between Georgia and Alabama runs south 9° 30' east to 
Millers Bend, on the Chattahoochee River, about 146 miles; thence down the western 
bank of the river at high-water mark to its junction with Flint River, at a point now 
four chains below the actual junction, latitude 30° 42' 42'', longitude 80° 53' 15". 



108 B<)TTNDARIP:S of the united states. Ibull.226. 

FLORIDA. 

Florida avus orij^inally settled })y the Spaniards, and was held as a 
Spanish province nearly two liundred 3X'ar,s. In IT*?^ it was ceded by 
Spain to Great Britain, who divided it into the two provinces of East 
and West Florida, separated })y tlie Apalachicola River, with a north- 
ern boundar}' substantially as at present. {VkU Fairbanks' History 
of Florida.) 

In 1783 Great Britain retroceded Florida to Spain, and the northern 
boundary was fixed by the treaty of peace between the United States 
and Great Britain signed in the same year. Spain, however, claimed 
the territory as far north as the parallel of latitude of the mouth of 
the Yazoo River, 

Previous to this, in 1763, France had ceded Louisiana to Spain, 
which Spain retroceded to France in 1800, and in 1803 France ceded the 
same to the United States, who claimed that the eastern boundary of the 
said province of Louisiana, so often ceded, was the Perdido River, 
while Spain claimed it to be the Iberville River and Lakes Maurepas 
and Pontchartrain. The controversy arising from the difference of 
interpretation of these various treaties and cessions was terminated by 
the treaty of Washington in 1819, whereby Spain ceded to the United 
States the provinces of East and West Florida. 

On March 30, 1822, by an act of Congress, the territory ceded to the 
United States by Spain was made the " Territory of Florida," embrac- 
ing the same extent as does the present State. 

On March 3, 1845, Florida was admitted into the Union as an inde- 
pendent State. 

(For a history of the northern boundary of Florida vide Georgia, 
p. 104.) 

In 1831 Congress passed an act relating to the boundary between 
Florida and Alabama, of which the following in an extract: 

AN ACT to ascertain and mark the line between the State of Alabama and the Territory of Florida, 
and the northern boundary of the State of Illinois, and for other purposes. 

That the President of the United States be, and he is hereby, authorized to cause 
to be run and marked the boundary Hue between the State of Alabama and the 
Territory of Florida, by the surveyors-general of Alabama and Florida, on the thirty- 
first degree of north latitude. 

******* 

( Vide U. S. Stat, at Large, Vol. IV, p. 479. ) 

In 1847 the agreement of commissioners previously appointed by 
Florida and Alabama was ratified, and the line is described as follows, 
viz: 

Commencing on the Chattahoochee River near a place known as "Irwin's Mills'' 
and running Avest to the Perdido, marked throughout by blazes on the trees, and also 
by mounds of earth thrown up on the line at distances of one mile, more or less, 
from each other, and commonly known as "EUicott's Line," or the "Mound Line. •' 
( Vide Florida Code, 1873, p. 100.) 



GANNETT] FLORIDA ALABAMA. 109 

This line was run in 1799-1800 by A. Ellicott. The line was retraced, 
remeasured, and marked in 1853-54. 

The line between the two States is oriven in general terms in the 
Florida Code as follows, viz: 

Commencing at the mouth of the Perdido River, from thence up the middle of said 
river to where it intersects the south houndary line of the State of Alabama and the 
thirty-first degree of north latitude; then due east to the Chattahoochee Eiver. 

ALABAMA. 

In 1798 the United States formed the Territory of Mississippi, 
including — 

All that tract of country bounded on the west by the Mississippi, on the north by 
a line to be drawn due east from the mouth of the Yasous to the Chattaliouchee River, 
on the east by the Chattahouchee River, and on the south by the thirty-first degree 
of north latitude. ( Vide U. S. Stat, at Large, Vol. I, p. 549.) 

In this act was a clause reserving the right of Georgia and of indi 
viduals to the jurisdiction of the soil thereof. 

South Carolina and Georgia having ceded to the United States their 
claim to territory west of their present limits, the General Government, 
in 1804:, by an act of Congress, annexed the tract of country lying- 
north of Mississippi Territory and south of the State of Tennessee, and 
bounded on the east by Georgia and west by Louisiana, to the Terri- 
tory of Mississippi. ( VideV. S. Stat, at Large, Vol. II, p. 305.) Also 
in 18112 the United States added to Mississippi Territory all the lands 
lying east of Pearl River, west of the Perdido and south of the thirty- 
first degree of latitude. ( Vide U. S. Stat, at Large, Vol. II, p. 734:.) 

By these additions the Territory of Mississippi was made to comprise 
what is now included in the two States of Alabama and Mississippi. 
On March 8, 1817, by an act of Congress the territory of Alabama was 
formed from the eastern portion of the Territory of Mississippi, with 
the following boundaries, viz: 

Beginning at the point where the line of the thirty-first degree of north latitude 
intersects the Perdido River; thence east to the western boundary line of the State 
of Georgia ; thence along said line to the southern boundary line of the State of Ten- 
nessee; thence west along said boundary line to the Tennessee River; thence up the 
same to the mouth of Bear Creek; thence by a direct line to the northwest corner of 
Washington County; thence due south to the Gulf of Mexico; thence eastwardly, 
including all the islands within 6 leagues of the shore, to the Perdido River; and 
thence up the same to the l^eginning. ( Vide U. S. Stat, at Large, Vol. Ill, p. 871. ) 

On December 14, 1819, Alabama was admitted as an independent 
State, with the above boundaries. It was, however, made the dut3"of 
the surveyor of the public lands south of Tennessee and the sui'veyor 
of lands in Alabama Territory to run and cut out the lino of demarca- 
tion between the two States of Ala))ama and Mississippi, and if it 
should appear to said surveyors that so much of the line designated as 
running due south from the northwest corner of Washington County 



110 BOUNDARIES OF THE UNITED STATES. [BrLL.22C. 

to the Gulf of Mexico sliould (Miroach on the counties of Wayne, (ireene, 
and Jackson, in the State of Mississippi, then the same should be altered, 
so as to run in a direct line from the northwest corner of Washington 
County to a point on the Gulf of Mexico 10 miles east of th(» mouth of 
the River Pascagoula. {Vide U. S. Stat, at Large, Vol. 111. p. VM).) 
This line was run and marked in 1820. 

(For the history of the Ijoundaries between Alabama and Georgia 
vide Georgia, p. 104. For the histor}^ of the boundaries between Ala- 
bama and Florida vide Florida, p. 108.) 

The boundary between Alabama and Tennessee is the thirty -fifth par- 
allel of north latitude {vide North Carolina, p. 102), from Nickajack 
{vide Georgia, p. 104) west across the Tennessee River, and on to the sec- 
ond intersection of said river by said parallel. ( Vide Alabama Code, 
1876, p. 189.) 

The boundary between Alabama and Mississippi was to be run by 
surveyors, under the act of admission of Alabama. The report of said 
surveyors is not at hand, but the line as laid down in the Mississippi 
Code is as follows, viz: 

Beginning at a point on the west bank of the Tennessee River, six foiir-pole chains 
south of and above the mouth of Yellow Creek; thence up the said river to the 
mouth of Bear Creek; thence by a direct line to what was formerly the northwest 
corner of Washington County, Alabama; thence in a direct line to a point ten miles 
east of the Pascagoula River, on the Gulf of Mexico. ( Vidf Mississippi Code, pp. 
48, 49. ) 

MISSISSIPPI. .. 

(For the early history of the extent of Mississippi Territory '?'/^(e 
Alabama, p. 109.) 

On December 10, 1817, the western pai"t of the Mississippi Territory 
was made a State and admitted into the l^nion, with the following 
boundaries, viz: 

Beginning on the river Mississippi at the point where the southern boundary of 
the State of Tennessee strikes the same; thence east along the said boundary line to 
the Tennessee River; thence up the same to the mouth of Bear Creek; thence by a 
direct line to the northwest corner of the county of Washington; thence due south 
to the Gulf of Mexico; thence westwardly, including all the islands within six leagues 
of the shore, to the most eastern junction of Pearl River with Lake Borgne; thence 
up said river to the thirty-first degree of north latitude; thence west along said degree 
of latitude to the Mississipj)! River; thence up the same to the beginning. ( Vide 
U. S. Stat, at Large, Vol. Ill, p. 348. ) 

(For further information concerning eastern boundary, vid^ Alabama, 
p. 109.) 

In 1819 the line between Mississippi and Tennessee was run bj- com- 
missioners. Their report is not at hand. In 1838 the legislature of 
Tennessee passed an act establishing ''Thompson's line." The details 
of "Thompson's line '^ have not been found. In 1837 the line was again 



GANNETT] MISSISSIPPI LOUISIANA. Ill 

run ])y conuiussioners from th(> two States and ratified by the legis 
latures. The conimi.ssioners"' report was as follows: 

Commencing at a point on the west bank of the Tennessee River six four-pole 
chains south, or above the mouth of Yellow Creek, and about three-quarters of a 
mile north of the line known as "Thompson's line," and twenty-six chains and ten 
links nortli of Thompson's line at the basis meridian of the Chickasaw surveys, and 
terminating at a point on the east bank of the Mississippi River (opposite Cow 
Island) sixteen chains north of Thompson's line. (See Laws of Tennessee, 1837, 
p. 27.) 

The boundaries were fixed l)y the act of Congress admitting the 
State of Mississippi, as follows, viz: 

Commencing at the most eastern junction of Pearl River witli Lake Borgne, thence 
up said Pearl River to the thirty-first degree of north latitude, thence west along 
said degree of latitude to the Mississippi River, thence up the same to the point 
where the southern boundary of Tennessee strikes the same. (See U. S. Laws, 
vol. 6, p. 175.) 

Mississippi claims to the middle of the Mississippi River, where the 
river forms her western boundary. (See Rev. Stat., 185T.) 

LOUISIANA. 

The original territory of Louisiana was acquired from France. (See 
p. 19.) In 1804 a portion of this, comprising the area of the present 
State of Louisiana, with the exception of the southeastern portion, 
immediately adjoining the present State of Florida, was organized 
into a Territory under the name of Orleans, while the balance of the 
Louisiana purchase retained the name of Louisiana Territory. On 
April 30, 1812, the Territory of Orleans was admitted as a State under 
the name of Louisiana, and at the same time the name of the Territory 
of Louisiana was changed to Missouri Territory. In the same year 
the limits of the State were enlarged in the southeast to its present 
boundaries. 

The following act defines the Territory of Orleans: 

All that portion of country, ceded by France to the United States under the name 
of Louisiana, which lies south of the Mississippi Territory, and of an east and west 
line to commence on the Mississijjpi River at the thirty-third degree of north lati- 
tude, and to extend west to the western boundary of the said cession, shall constitute 
a Territory of the United States, under the name of the Territory of Orleans. 
(Eighth Congress, first session.) 

The following clause from the act admitting Louisiana defines its 
original boundaries: 

Beginning at the mouth of the river Sabine; thence by a line to be drawn along 
the middle of said river, including all islands, to the thirty-second degree of latitude; 
thence due north to the northernmost part of the thirty-third degree of north lati- 
tude; thence along the said parallel of latitude to the river Mississippi; thence down 
the said river to the river Iberville, and from thence along the middle of the said 
river and lakes Maurepasand Pontchartrain to tlie (Jnlf of Mexico; thence, bounded 
by the said Gulf, to the place of 1)eginning, including all islands within three leagues 
of the coast. (Twelfth Congress, first session.) 



112 BOUNDARIES (►K THE UNITED STATES. [biu..2-26. 

The following is a description of the addition to the State of Louisi- 
iuiu ill tcMMiis of the act: 

IV'giiininf^ at the junction of the Iberville with the river Mississippi, thence along 
the middle of the Iberville, the river Amite, and of the lakes Manrepas and Pont- 
chartrain, to the eastern mouth of the Pearl River; thence up the eastern Ijranch of 
Pearl River to the thirty-lirst degree of north latitude; thence along the said degree 
of latitude to the river Mississippi; thence down the said river to the i)lace of begin- 
ning, shall become and form a part of the State of Louisiana. (Twelfth Congress, 
first session. ) 

The north boundary of Louisiana was surveyed 1)3' a joint coniinis- 
sion of the State and the United States. 

TEXAS. 

Texas declared its independence of Mexico in 183.5. On December 
29, 1815, it was admitted to the Union. As originally constituted, it 
embraced, besides its present area, the region east of the Rio (irande, 
now in New Mexico, extending north to the forty-second parallel, its 
eastern limits coinciding with the western limit of the United States, 
as laid down in the treaty with Spain of 1819. (See "Texas accession," 
p. 23.) 

In 1848 the eastern boundary of the State was extended slightly, 
as noted in the following act: 

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America 
in Congress assembled, That this Congress consents that the legislature of the State of 
Texas may extend her eastern boundary so as to include within her limits one-half 
of Sabine Pass, one^half of Sabine Lake, also one-half of Sabine River, from its mouth 
as far north as the thirty-second degree of north latitude. 

In 1850 the State sold to the General Government for the sum of 
$10,000,000 that part lying north of the parallel of 36^ 30', and that 
portion lying west of longitude 103°, as far south as the parallel of 
32°, as set forth in the following clause from the act of Congress 
relating to this transfer: 

First. The State of Texas will agree that her boundary on the north shall com- 
mence at the point at which the meridian of one hundred degrees west from (Green- 
wich is intersected by the parallel of thirty-six degrees thirty minutes north latitude, 
and shall run from said point due west to the meridian of one hundred and three 
degrees west from Greenwich; thence her boundary shall run due south to the thirty- 
second degree of north latitude; thence on the said parallel of thirty-two degrees of 
north latitude to the Rio Bravo del Norte, and thence with the channel of said river 
to the Gulf of Mexico. (Thirty-tirst Congress, first session. ) 

The following act defines the northern boundary of Texas: 

AN ACT to authorize the President of the United States, in conjunction with the State of Texas, to 
run and mark the boundary line.s between the Territories of tlie United States and the State of 
Texas. 

Beginning at the point where the one hundreth degree of longitude west from 
Greenwich crosses Red River, and running thence north to the point where said one 
hundreth degree of longitude intersects the ]iarallel of thirty-six degrees thirty 
minutes north latitude, and thence west with the said parallel of thirty-six degrees 



U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVFY 



BULLETIN NO. 226 PL. XXXIX 



-1 

X 


ARK. 


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Orleans Terry 
. J804 


^'Louisiana State\ 
[ 1812 
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Addition 


i 



HISTORICAL DIAGRAM OF LOUISIANA. 




HISTORICAL DIAGRAM OF TEXAS. 



GANNETT. 



TEXAS ARKANSAS. 113 



and thirty minutes north latitude to tiie point where it intersects tlie one hundred 
and third degree of longitude west from Greenwich; and thence south with the said 
one hundred and third degree of longitude to the thirty-second parallel of north 
latitude; and thence west with said thirty-second degree of north latitude to the 
Rio Grande. (Thirty-fifth Congress, first session.) 

The l)oundaiT line of Texas is as follows: Beginning in the Gulf of 
Mexico, at the outlet of Sabine Lake, the line passes northward 
through the middle of Sabine Lake and up the middle of Sabine River 
to the point where said river intersects the parallel of 32'-'; thence 
north along the meridian of that point of intersection to the point 
where said meridian intersects Red River; thence up Red River to the 
one hundredth meridian west of Greenwich; thence north on said 
meridian to the parallel of 36° 20'; west on said parallel to the meri- 
dian of 103° west of Greenwich; thence south on said meridian to the 
parallel of latitude of 32- ; thence west on that parallel to its point of 
intersection with the Rio Grande; thence down the mid-channel of the 
Rio Grande to its mouth. 

That portion of the east boundary between Red River and the Sabine 
was run and marked by a joint commission of the United States and 
Texas in 1841. 

The boundary lines between Texas and New Mexico were run and 
marked in 1859-60, under the Department of the Interior. 

ARKANSAS. 

The Territory of Arkansas or Arkansaw, as it was originally spelled, 
was formed on March 2, 1819, from a part of Missouri Territory. The 
following clause from the act establishing it defines its limits in part: 

All that part of the Territory of Missouri which lies south of a line beginning on 
the Mississii^pi River at thirty-six degrees north latitude, running thence west to the 
river St. Francois, thence up the same to thirty-six degrees thirty minutes north 
latitude, and thence west to the western Territorial boundary line, shall, for the pur- 
poses of a Territorial government, constitute a separate Territory and be called the 
Arkansaw Territory. 

In 1821 an act was passed by Congress fixing the western boundary 
of the Territory. This was as follows: 

AN ACT to fix the western boundary line of the Territory of Arkansas, and for other purposes. 

The western boundary line of the Territory of Arkansas shall begin at a point 
forty miles west of the southwest corner of the State of Missouri and run south to 
the right bank of the Red River, and thence down the river and with the Mexican 
boundary to the line of the State of Louisiana. 

Four years later, in 1828, the following act was passed defining its 
southern boundary : 

AN ACT to authorize the President of the United States to run and mark a line dividing the Territory 
of Arkansas from the State of Louisiana. 

Commencing on the right bank of the Mississippi River at latitude thirty-three 
degrees north and running due west on that parallel of latitude to where a line 
running due north from latitude thirty-two degrees north on the Sabine River will 
intersect the same. 



114 BOUNDARIES OF THE UNITED STATES. [bull. 220. 

The soutli boundaiT wa.s originally run in 1823, and again in lSl-3— 15, 
])y a joint connnission of the two States of Arkansas and Missouri. 

The same year the following treaty changed materially the western 
line of the Territory, placing it in its present position: 

TREATY WITir THE CnEHOKEE INDIANS MAY 28, 1828. 

Article 1. The western houndarv of Arkansas shall be, and the same is, hereby 
defined, viz: A line shall be run, commencing on Red River at the point where the 
Eastern Choctaw line strikes said river, and run due north with said line to the river 
Arkansas; thence in a line to the southwest corner of Missouri. 

The Eastern Choctaw line, referred to above, starts on the Arkansas 
River "one hundred paces west of Fort Smith, and thence due south 
to the Red River.'' {Treaty with Choctaw Nation, January 20, 1825.) 

This part le west boundary was run and marked in 1825, and 

that part fro., ^ort Smith to the southwestern corner of Missouri in 
1831. The entire western boundar}^ was resurveyed and re-marked in 
1877. 

Arkansas was admitted as a State June 15, 1836. 

The following extracts from the enabling act, and from various con- 
stitutions, give statements of the boundaries, dilfering slightly from 
one another, but, for the most part, onl}^ in wording: 

constitution of ARKANSAS, 1836. 

Beginning in the middle of the main channel of the Mississippi River on the parallel 
of 36 degrees north latitude; running from thence west with the parallel of latitude 
to the Saint Francis River; thence up the middle of the main channel of said river to 
the parallel of thirty-six degrees thirty minutes north; from thence west to the 
southwest corner of the State of Missouri; and from thence to be bounded on the west 
to the north bank of Red River, as by acts of Congress and treaties heretofore defining 
the western limits of the Territory of Arkansas, and to be bounded on the south side 
of Red River by the Mexican boundary line to the northwest corner of the State of 
Louisiana; thence east by the Louisiana State line to the middle of the main channel 
of the Mississippi River; thence up the middle of the main channel of said river to 
the thirty-sixth degree of north latitude, the point of beginning. 

Again, in the enabling act for Arkansas, 1836 (Twenty -fourth Con- 
gress, first session), the boundaries are found to be defined as follows: 

Beginning in the middle of the main channel of the Mississippi River, on the 
parallel of thirty-six degrees north latitude, running from thence west, with the said 
parallel of latitude, to the St. Francis River; thence up the middle of the main chan- 
nel of said river to the parallel of thirty-six degrees thirty minutes north; from thence 
west to the southwest corner of the State of Missouri; and from thence to be bounded 
on the west, to the north bank of Red River, by the line described in the first article 
of the treaty between the United States and the Cherokee Nation of Indians, west of 
the Mississippi, made and concluded at the city of Washington, on the twenty-sixth 
day of May, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty-eight; 
and to be bounded on the south side of Red River by the Mexican boundary line to 
the northwest corner of the State of Louisiana; thence east with the Louisiana State 
line to the middle of the main channel of the Mississippi River; thence up the middle 
of the main channel of the said river to the tliirty-sixth degree of north latitude, the 
point of beginning.- 



U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 



BULLETIN NO. 226 PL. XL 




HISTORICAL DIAGRAM OF ARKANSAS. 




HISTORICAL DIAGRAM OF OHIO. 



GANNETT.] ARKANSAS TENNESSEE. 115 

111 the constitution of 18(54 the boundaries are detined as follows: 

Beginning in the middle of the Mississippi Eiver, on the parallel of thirty-six 
degrees north latitude, to the St. Francis River; thence up tlie middle of the main 
channel of .«aid river to the parallel of thirty-six degrees thirty minutes north; thence 
west to the southwest corner of the State of Missouri; and from thence to be bounded 
on the west to the north bank of Red River, as by acts of Congress of the United 
States, and the treaties heretofore defining the western limits of the Territory of 
Arkansas; and to be bounded on the south side of Red River by the boundary line 
of the State of Texas, to the northwest corner of the State of Louisiana; thence east 
with the Louisiana State line to the middle of the main channel of the Mississippi 
River; thence up the middle of the main channel of said river to the thirty-sixth 
degree of north latitude, the point of beginning. 

The constitution of 1868 differs but slightly from the last. It is as 
follows: 

Beginning at the middle of the main channel of the Mississippi River, on the 
parallel of 36° north latitude, running from thence west, with the said parallel of 
latitude, to the Saint Francis River; thence up the middle of the main channel of 
said river to the i)arallel of 36° 30^ north; from thence west with the boundary line 
of the State of Missouri to the southwest corner of that State; and thence to be 
bounded on the west to the north bank of Red River, as by acts -of Congress and 
treaties heretofore defining the western limits of the Territory of Arkansas; and to 
be bounded on the south side of Red River by the boundary line of the State of 
Texas to the northwest corner of the State of Louisiana; thence east with the 
Louisiana State line to the middle of the main channel of the Mississippi River; 
thence up the middle of the main channel of said river, including an island in said 
river known as "Belle Point Island," to the 36° of north latitude, the place of 
beginning. 

In the constitution of 187-4 there are again slight differences, mainly 
in wording: 

Beginning at the middle of the main channel of the Mississippi River, on the par- 
allel of thirty-six degrees of north latitude; running thence west with said parallel 
of latitude to the middle of the main channel of the Saint Francis River; thence up 
the main channel of said last-named river to the parallel of thirty -six degrees thirty 
minutes of north latitude; thence west with the southern boundary line of the State 
of Missouri to the southwest corner of said last-named State; tlience to be bounded 
on the west to the north bank of Red River, as by act of Congress and treaties exist- 
ing January 1, 1837, defining the western limits of the Territory of Arkansas and to 
be bounded across and south of Red River by the boundaiy line of the State of Texas 
as far as to the northwest corner of the State of Louisiana; thence easterly with the 
northern boundary line of said last-named State, to the middle of the main channel 
of the Mississippi River; thence up the middle of the main channel of said last-named 
river, including an island in said river known as "Belle Point Island," and all other 
land originally surveyed and included as a part of the Territory or State of Arkansas 
to the thirty-sixth degree of north latitude, the j^lace of beginning. 

TENNESSEE. /, 

Tennessee was originally' a part of North Corolina. (For further 
information vide North Carolina, p. 99.) 

In 1790 it was ceded to the United States. Its boundaries described 
in the act of cessiin are, substantially, those of the present day. 



116 BOUNDARIES OV THE UNITED STATES. [BrLi..226. 

Oil Juno 1, ITlH), ])y ail act of Coiij^rcss it wa.s admitted into the Union. 

The act of admission declares its boundaries as "All the territory 
ceded by North Carolina." 

(For the histor3'of the eastern ))oundary,'yi(^e North Carolina, ]). '.»!>; 
for the southern boundary, vide Georgia, p. l<>4, . 'abama, p. l(tl), and 
Mississippi, p. 110.) 

The Mississippi River forms its westerii boundary lunler the treaty 
of peace of 1783. 

The line which divided Virginia and North Carolina was the southern 
Iwundary of Kentucky. Virginia and North Carolina, prior to the 
creation of the States of Kentucky and Tennessee, appointed commis- 
sioners — Messrs. Walker and Henderson — to run and mark the line on 
the parallel of latitude 36° 30'. From a point on the top of the CJum- 
berland Mountains, now the southeastern corner of Kentucky, Walker 
ran and marked the line to a point on the Tennessee River. This line, 
called Walker's line, was regarded for many years as the dividing line 
between Kentucky and Tennessee. It was ascertained, however, that 
Walker's line was north of latitude 36° 30'. 

The Indian title to the land west of the Tennessee River being extin- 
guished liy the treat}^ of 1819, the legislature appointed Robert Alex- 
ander and Luke Munsell to ascertain the true point of latitude 36° 30' 
on the Mississippi River, and to run and mark a line east on that par- 
allel, which was done as far east as the Tennessee River. (For above, 
see Gen. Stat. Ky., 18T3, p. 167.) 

In 1820 connnissioners were appointed l)y Kentucky and Tennessee, 
respectively, to settle the boundary. Their report was ratified, and is 
as follows, viz: 

Art. I. The line of boundary and separation between the States of Kentucky and 
Tennessee shall be as follows, viz : 

The line run by the Virginia commissioners in the year 1779-80, commonly called 
Walker's line, as the same is reputed, understood, and acted upon by the said tStates, 
their respective officers and citizens, from the southeastern corner of Kentucky to 
the Tennessee Kiver; thence with and up said river to the point where the line of 
Alexander and Munsell, run by them in the last year under the authority of an act 
of the legislature of Kentucky entitled "An act to run the ])oundary line between 
this State and the State of Tennessee, west of the Tennessee River, approved Feb. 
8, 1819," would cross said river, and thence with the said line of Alexander and 
Munsell to the termination thereof on the Mississippi River below New Madrid. 

Then follow nine other articles. 

Article III provides for running and marking the line at an}- subse- 
quent time. (See General Stat. Kentucky, page 170.) 

In 1858-59 commissioners were appointed by Kentucky and Tennes- 
see to run this line. 

The detailed report of the commission on the part of Tennessee can 
be found in Statutes of Tennessee, 1871, Vol. I, pages 223-243, giving 
courses, bearings, milestones erected, and a map of the boundar}". 




Bull. 226—04 13 



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GANNETT] KENTUCKY OHIO. Il7 

The report of this commission on the part of Kentucky was published 
at Frankfort b}^ the State printer, 1860, in a pamphlet of 98 octavo 
pages, with latitudes and a map of the line, on a scale of 1:108,000. 

For a histor}- of the boundary between Virginia and Tennessee, vide 
Virginia, p. 9.5.) 

KENTUCKY. 

Kentucky was included in the original limits of Virginia, and was a 
part of the count}' of Augusta. Augusta Count}^ was formed in 1738. 
I Ji 1 769 Botetourt County was created from a portion of Augusta County ; 
in 1772, Fincastle f roni Botetourt; in 1776, Kentucky from Fincastle. 

The boundaries of all these counties may be found in Hening's Laws 
of Virginia. Vols. I to IX. 

In 1789 Virginia passed an act giving her consent that the county of 
Kentuck}-, within her jurisdiction, should be formed into a new State. 
Accordingly, June 1, 1792, Kentucky was admitted into the Union, 
with substantially her present boundaries. 

By the cession of 1784, by Virginia to the United States, of the terri- 
tory northwest of the Ohio River, this river became the northwest 
boundary of the State of Kentuck3\ 

The" western boundary, the Mississippi, was fixed by the treaty of 
peace in 1783. 

(For a histor}' of the boundary between Kentucky and Virginia and 
West Virginia, vide Virginia, p. 95; for the boundary between Ken- 
tuck}' and Tennessee, vide Tennessee, p. 115.) 

OHIO. 

Ohio was the first State formed from the original Territor}'^ North- 
west of the River Ohio. It was admitted as a State on November 29, 
1802, with limits given in the enabling act as follows: 

Bounded on the east by the Pennsylvania hne, on the south by the Ohio River to 
the mouth of the Great Miami River, on the west by the Hne drawn due north from 
the mouth of the tJreat Miami aforesaid, and on the north by an east and west line 
drawn through the southerly extreme of Lake Michigan, running east after inter- 
secting the due north line aforesaid, from the mouth of the Cfreat Miami until it shall 
intersect Lake Erie or the Territorial line, and thence with the same through Lake 
Erie to the Pennsylvania line aforesaid: Provided, That Congress shall be at liberty 
at any time hereafter either to attach all the territory lying east of the line to be 
drawn due north from the mouth of the 3Iiami aforesaid to the Territorial line, and 
north (if an east and west line drawn through the southerly extreme of Lake Michi- 
gan, running east as aforesaid to Lake Erie, to the aforesaid State, or dispose of it 
otherwise, in conformity to the fifth article of compact between the original States 
and the people and States to be formed in the territory northwest of the river Ohio. 
(Seventh Congress, first session. ) 

In the constitution of Ohio of 1802, Article VII, the boundaries are 
defined as follows: 

Bounded on the east by the Pennsylvania line; on the south by the Ohio River to 
the mouth of the Great Miami River; on the west by the line drawn due north from 



lis BOITNDARIKS OV THE UNITED STATES. [bull/^C. 

the month of tlic (Jrcat Miami afori'said, ami on tlic iioitii hy an cast an<l west hne 
drawn tlirongh the noutiierly extreme of J^ake Miehitran, runnini; east after inter- 
secting tlie dne north line aforesaid from the month of the'freat !SIiami nntil it shall 
intersect Lake Erie or the Territorial line; and thence with the sami' through Lake 
Erie to th^ Pennsylvania line aforesaid; provided always, antl it is hereby fully 
understood and declared by this convention, that if the southerly ])end orextreme of 
Lake Michigan should extend so far south that a line drawn due east from it should 
not intersect l^ake Erie, or if it should intersect the saiil Lake Erie east of the mouth 
of the iVIiama River of the Lake, then, and in that case, with the assent of the ('on- 
gress of the United States, the northern boundary of this State shall be established 
by, and extending to, a direct line running from the southern extremity of Lake 
Michigan to the most northerly cape of the Miami Bay, after intersecting the due 
north line from the mouth of the Great Miami Eiver as aforesaid; thence northeast 
to the Territorial line, and by the said Territorial line to the Pennsylvania line. 

In accordance with the provisions in the enabling act, and in the 
lirst constitution of the State, the northern boundary of tlie State was 
changed so that, instead of running- on a parallel drawn from the south- 
ern extremity of Lake Michigan, it followed the arc of a great circle 
drawn from the southern extremity of Lake Michigan to the most 
northern cape of Maumee ("■Miami") Bay. 

Following are the texts of the acts providing for the examination of 
the northern ])oundary and making the change in the boundary: 

AN ACT to provide for the taking of certain observations preparatory to the adjustment of the 
northern boundary line of the State of Ohio. 

That the President of the United States cause to l)e ascertained, by accurate obser- 
vation, the latitude and longitude of the southerly extreme of Lake Michigan; and 
that he cause to l>e ascertained, by like observation, the point on the Jliami of the 
lake which is due east therefrom, and also the latitude and longitude of the most 
northerly cape of the Miami Bay; ako, that he cause to be ascertained, with all prac- 
ticable accuracy, the latitude and longitude of the most southerly point in the north- 
ern boundary line of the United States in Lake Erie, and also the points at which a 
direct line drawn from the southerly extreme of Lake Michigan to the most southerly 
point in said northern boundary line of the United States will intersect the Miami 
River and Bay; and also that he cause to be ascertained, by like observation, the 
point in the Mississippi which is due west from the southerly extreme of Lake Michi- 
gan; and that the said observations be made and the result thereof returned to the 
proper Department within the current year. (Twenty-second Congress, first session, 
1832.) 

AN ACT to establisli the nortliern boundary line of the State of Ohio, and to provide for the admis- 
sion of the State of Michigan into the Union. 

The northern boun<lary line of the State of Ohio shall be established at and shall 
be a direct line drawn from the southern extremity of Lake Michigan to the most 
northerly cape of the Maumee (Miami) Bay after that line, so drawn, shall intersect 
the eastern boundary line of the State of Indiana; and from the said north cape of 
the said bay northeast to the boundary line between the United States and the prov- 
ince of Upper Canada, in Lake Erie, and thence, with the said last-mentioned line, 
to its intersection with the western line of the State of Pennsylvania. (Twenty- 
fourth Congress, first session, 1836. ) 

The northern boundary was originally surveyed in ISIT. The west- 
ern boimdary was sur\eyed in the same year from old Fort Recovery 



U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 



BULLETIN NO. 226 PL. XLIV 




HISTORICAL DIAGRAM OF INDIANA. 



GANNETT.] OHIO INDIANA. 119 

to the norcliAvestern corner. South of Fort Recovery this boundary 
was surveyed as the first principal meridian of the General Land Office. 

INDIANA. 

By the act passed in the year 1800, to take effect on and after the 
4th day of July of that year, the Territory Northwest of the River 
Ohio was divided into two parts, the eastern part to retain the old 
name, the Avestern part to l)ecome the Territory of Indiana. 

Under this act the Territory of Indiana was organized. The descrip- 
tion of the boundary line between these two Territories is given in the 
following- act establishing them: 

That from and after the fourth day of July next all that part of the territory of 
the United States northwest of the Ohio River, which lies to the westward of a line 
begining at the Ohio, opposite to the mouth of Kentucky River, and running thence 
to Fort Recovery, and thence north until it shall intersect the territorial line between 
the United States and Canada, shall, for the purpose of temporary government, 
constitute a separate Territory, and be called Indiana Territory. 

8ec. r). That whenever that part of the territory of the United States which lies to 
the eastward of a line beginning at the mouth of the Great Miami River, and running 
thence due north to the territorial line between the United States and Canada, shall 
be erected into an independent State, and admitted into the Union on an equal foot- 
ing with the original States, thenceforth said line shall become and remain perma- 
nently the boundary line between such State and the Indiana Territory, anything in 
this act contained to the contrary notwithstanding. (Sixth Congress, first session.) 

Ohio was admitted in 1802. Its western boundarj^, a meridian through 
the mouth of the ]VIiami River, left a narrow strip of country between 
Ohio and the Territory of Indiana, which was by a clause in the enabling 
act of Ohio added to Indiana Territor}'. The following is the clause 
in question: 

Sec. 3. All that part of the territory of the United States northwest of the river 
Ohio heretofore included in the eastern division of said Territory, and not included 
within the boundary herein prescribed for the said State, is hereby attached to and 
made a part of the Indiana Territory. 

On the 30th of June, 1805, the northern portion of Indiana Territory 
was cut off and organized as Michigan Territory. (For the divisional 
line between these, see Michigan, p. 120.) 

On ]March 1, 1809, Indiana Territory was divided, and the western 
portion of it organized as Illinois Territory. (For a description of the 
divisional line between these two Territories, see Illinois, p. 120.) On 
December 11, 1816, Indiana was admitted as a State with the limits as 
given in the following extract from the enabling act, which have not 
since been changed: 

AN ACT to enable the people of the Indiana Territory to form a constitution and State government 
and for the admission of such .State into the I'nion on an equal footing with the original States. 

The said State .shall consist of all the territory included within the following 
boundaries, to wit: Bounded on the east by the meridian line which forms the 
western boundary of the State of Ohio; on the south by the river Ohio from the 



120 BOUNDARIKS OF THK rNITKD STATP:S. [Kri.L.2-26. 

niiiutli of tlu' (iri'at Miami River to t!u' mouth of tlu' Kivrr \Vaba.sli; on tin- Wfwt by 
a liiu' <lra\vn along the middle of the AVabash from its mouth to a point where a due 
north line drawn from the town of VincenneH would last touch the northwestern shore 
of the said river; and from thence by a <lue north line, until tlie same shall intersect 
an east and west line drawn througli a point 10 miles north of the southern extreme 
of Lake Mit-higan; on the north by the said east and west line until the same s-iall 
intersect the first-mentitmed meridian Hue which forms the western boundary of the 
State of Ohio. (Fourteenth Congress, first session.) 

The nortli ]K)undarv of ludiiinu was surve^'ed and marked in 1.S27. 
and its west ])oundarv l)y a joint coininission of the two States, Indiana 
and Illinois. 

ITXINOIS, 

Illinois Territory, orig-inally part of the Territory Northwest of the 
River Ohio, and subsequently a part of Indiana Territory, was organ- 
ized on March 1, 1809. The following- elause from the act separating 
it from Indiana Territory defines its ])oundary: 

AN ACT for dividing the Indiana Territury into two wparate governments. 
From and after the first day of March next, all that part of the Indiana Territory 
which lies west of the Wabash River and a direc-t line drawn from the said AVabash 
River and Post Vincennes due north to the territory line between the United States 
and Canada shall, for the purpose of temporary government, constitute a separate 
Territory and be called Illinois. (Tenth Congress, second session.) 

On December 3, 1818, it was admitted as a State, with its present 
l)oundaries. The enabling- act defines these boundaries as follows: 

AN ACT to enable the people of the Illinois Territory to form a constitution and State government, 
and for the admission of such State into the Union on an equal footing with the original States. 

The said State shall consist of .all the territory included within the following 
boundaries, to wit: Beginning at the mouth of the Wabash River; thence up the 
same and with the line of Indiana to the northwest corner of said State; thence east 
with the line of the same State to the middle of Lake Michigan; thence north along 
the middle of said lake to north latitude forty-two degrees thirty minutes; thence 
west to the middle of the Mississippi River; and thence down along the middle of 
that river to its confluence with the Ohio River; and thence tip the latter river along 
its northwestern shore to the beginning. (Fifteenth Congress, second session.) 

The northern boundary of Illinois was run and marked in 1832-3. 

MICHIGAN. 

Michigan was organized as a Territory June 30, 1805, from the 
northern part of Indiana Territory. 

The following clause from the act dividing Indiana Territory defines 
its limits: 

From and after the thirtietli day of June next all that part of the Indiana Territory 
which lies north of a line drawn east from the southerly bend or extreme of Lake 
Michigan, until it shall intersect Lake Erie, and east of a line drawn from the said 
southerly bend through the middle of said lake to its northern extremity, and thence 
due north to the northern boundary of the United States, shall, for the purpose of 
temporary government, constitute a separate Territory, and be called Michigan. 
(Eighth Congress, second session.) 

This line was run and marked in 1827. 



U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 



BULLETIN NO. 226 PL. XLV 




HISTORICAL DIAGRAM OF ILLINOIS. 



U. 8. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 



BULLETIN NO. 226 PL, XLVI 




-!!,' ^ R A S K 



N D.IO H I 

i 
i 



HISTORICAL DIAGRAM OF MICHIGAN. 



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HISTORICAL DIAGRAM OF WISCONSIN. 



OANNKTT] MICHIGAN. 121 

The enabling act for Illinois, passed in 1818, eontained a provision 
transferring- to the Territory of Michigan the portion of the Territory 
of Illinois not included in the State of that name. The following is 
the text of the clause referred to: 

All that part of the territory of the United States lying north of the State of Indi- 
ana, and which was inelude<l in the former Indiana Territory, together with that part 
of the Illinois Territory which is situated north of and not included within the hound- 
aries prescribed by this act, to the State thereby authorized to be formed, shall be, 
and herey)y is, attached to and made a part of the Michigan Territory, from and after 
tlie formation of the said State. 

In 1831 an act was passed extending the limits of the Territory of 
Michigan to the Missouri River. 

The clause of this act relating to area is as follows: 

AX ACT to attach the territory of the United States west of the Mississippi River and north of the 
State of Missouri to the Territory of Michigan. 

All that part of the territory of the United State^ bounded on the east by the Mis- 
sissippi River, on the south by the State of Missouri and a line drawn due west from 
the northwest corner of said State to the Missouri River; on the southwest an<l west 
by the Missouri River and the White Earth River, falling into the same; and on the 
north by the northern l>oundary of the United States, shall be, and hereby is, foi- 
the purpose of temporary government, attached to and made a part of the Territory 
of Michigan. 

In 1836 Wisconsin Territory was formed from that part of Michigan 
Territory Ij'ing west of the present limits of the State of that name. 
(TVc/,^ Wisconsin, p. 122.) 

The boundary line betw^een Michigan and Wisconsin, between the 
sources of Brule and Montreal rivers, was run and marked in 1817. 

Reduced to its present limits, as described in the following clause 
from its enabling act, Michigan was admitted to the Union January 
2C., 18:37: 

AX ACT to provide for the admission of the State of Michigan into the Union. 

Beginning at the poin? where the above-described northern boundary of the State 
of Ohio intersects the eastern Ijoundary of the State of Indiana, and running thence 
with the said boundary line of Ohio, as described in the tirst section of this act, until 
it intersects the boundary line between the United States and Canada in Lake Erie; 
thence with the said boundary line between the United States and Canada, through 
the Detroit River, Lake Huron, and Lake Superior, to a point where the said line last 
touches Lake Superior; thence in a direct line through Lake Superior to the mouth 
of the ^lontreal River; thence through the middle of the main channel of the said 
river Montreal to the middle of the Lake of the Desert; thence in a direct line to the 
nearest Ittadwater of the Menomonee River; thence through the middle of that 
fork of the said river first touched by the said line to the main channel of the said 
^lenomonee River; thence»down the center of the main channel of the same to the 
center of the most usual ship channel of the Green Bay of Lake Michigan; thence 
through the center of the most usual ship channel of the said bay to the middle of 
Lake Michigan; thence through the middle ot Lake Michigan to the northern bound- 
ary of the State of Indiana, as that line was established by the act of Congress of 
the nineteenth of April, eighteen hundred and sixteen; thence due east with the 
Bull. 226—04 14 



122 BOrNDARIP:S of the united states. [Bri.i...>-26. 

nortli tiKiiiidary lint' (if llu- .«ai ! State of Imliaiia tu tlic northeast conuT tlii-reof; 
and tluMifc soutli witli tlie i-a^t Ixjiiiidary line uf Indiana t<> the jilace of lie'_dnnin^. 
(Twenty-fourtli Congress, first session.) 

Tlu' ;il)ove l)ounclarios i-ciiiiiii! uiichiing'ed. 

AVISCONSIN. 

Wisconsin was orLiunizcd as a Trriitory 'hily 3. 1836. As oritrinally 
constituted its aica conipiised all that part of the former Territory of 
Michioaii Avhich lay outside of the i)i'esent limits of the State of ]\Iiehi- 
gan. The limits are defined in the act for its organization as follows: 

Bovuidedon the east by a line drawn from the northeast corner of tlie State of Illi- 
nois, through the middle of Lake Michigan, to a point in the middle of said lake and 
opposite the main channel of Green Bay; and through said channel and (ireen Bay 
to the month of the Menomonee; thence through the mi<ldle of the main channel of 
said river to that head of said river nearest to the Lake of the Desert; thence in a 
direct line to themiddle of said lake; thence through the middle of the main chan- 
nel of the Montreal River to its mouth; thence with a direct line across Lake Superior 
to where the territorial line of the United States last touches said lake northwest; 
thence on the north with the said territorial line to the White Earth River, on the 
west by a line from the said boundary line following down the middle of the main 
channel of White Earth River to the Missouri River, and down the middle of the 
main channel of the Missouri River to a ])oint due west from the northwest corner 
of the State of Missouri, and on the south from said point due east to the north- 
west corner of the State of Missouri; and thence with the boundaries of the States of 
Missouri and Illinois as already fixed liy acts of Congress. (Twenty-fourth Con- 
gress, first session. ) 

In 1838 all that part of the territor}' lying- west of the Mississippi 
and a line drawn due north from its source to the international bound- 
ary — that is, all that part which was originalh' comprised in the Loui- 
siana purchase — was organized as the Territory of Iowa. (See Iowa, 

On August 9, 18i6, an enabling act for Wisconsin was passed giving 
the boundaries as follows: 

Beginning at the northeast corner of the State of Illinois, that is to say, at a point 
in the center of Lake Michigan where the line of forty-two degrees and thirty min- 
utes of north latitude crosses the same; thence running with the ])oundary line of 
the State of Michigan, through Lake Michigan, Green Bay, to the mouth of the 
Menomonee River; thence up the channel of said river to the Brule River; thence up 
said last-mentioned river to Lake Brule; thence along the southern shore of Lake 
Brule in a direct line to the center of the channel between Middle and South islands 
in the Lake of the Desert; thence in a direct line to the headwaters of ^Montreal 
River, as marked upon the survey made by Captain Cramni; thence down the main 
channel of the Montreal River to the middle of Lake Superior; thence through the 
center of Lake Superior to the mouth of the Saint Louis River; thence up the main 
channel of said river to the first rapids in the same, above the Indian village, accord- 
ing to Nicollet's map; thence due south to the main ])ranch of the river Saint Croix; 
thence down the middle of the main channel of said river to the Mississippi; thence 
down the center of the main channel of that river to the northwest corner of the 
State of Illinois; thence due east with the northern boundary of the State of Illinois 
to the i)lace of beginning. (Twenty-ninth Congress, first session.) 



U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 



BULLETIN NO. 226 PL. XLVII 





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HISTORICAL DIAGRAM 0=" MISSOURI. 



GANNETT.] WISCONSIN MISSOURI. 123 

Oil March 3, 1847, a suppleinentarv act for the admission of Wis- 
consin was passed l)v Cong'ress. in which the western boundarj' of the 
proposed State was chang'ed as follows ; 

That tlieasnent of Congress i:^ hereby given to the change of Iwnndary proposed in 
the first article of said constitution, to wit: J^eaving the boundary line prescril)etl in 
the act of Congress entitled "An act to enable the ])eople of Wisconsin Territory to 
form a constitution and State government, and for the admission of such State into 
the rnion." at the tirst rapids in the river St. Louis; thence in a direct line south- 
wardly to a point fifteen mile^ east of the most easterly point of Lake St. Croix; 
thence due south to the main channel of the Mississippi Eiver or Lake Pepin; thence 
down the said main channel, as prescribed in said act. (Twenty-ninth Congress, 
second session. ) 

On Mav ;^i», 1848, Wisconsin was admitted into the Union. 

The boundary between this State and JNIinnesota from St. Louis to 
St. Croix River was surveyed and marked in 1852, under the General 
Land Office. 

MISSOURI. 

The name of the Territory of Louisiana was changed in 1812 to Mis- 
souri, b}' act of Congress. At that time the Territory" comprised all 
of the original Louisiana purcliase, excepting the State of Louisiana, 
which had l)een formed from it. The Territor}- of Arkansas, with limits 
very similar to those of the present State, was formed from it in 1819. 
On August 10, 1821, the State of Missouri was formed and admitted, 
with limits, excepting as to the northwest corner, the same as at 
present. 

Boundaries are defined as follows: 

Beginning in the middle of the Mississippi River, on the parallel of thirty-six 
degrees of north latitude; thence west along that parallel of latitude to the Saint 
Francois River; thence up and following the coui-se of that river, in the middle of 
the main channel thereof, to the parallel of latitude of thirty-six degrees and thirty 
minutes; thence west along the same to a point where the said parallel is intersected 
l)y a meridian line passing through the middle of the mouth of the Kansas River 
v.here the same empties into the Missouri River; thence from the point aforesaid 
north along the said meridian line to the intersection of the parallel of latitude which 
passes through therajjidsof the river Des Moines, making the said line to corres]}ond 
with tlie Indian boundary line; thence east from the point of intersection last afore- 
said along the said parallel of latitude to the middle of the channel of the main fork 
of the said river Des Moines; thence down and along the middle of the main channel 
of the said river Des Moines to the mouth of the same where it empties into the Mis- 
sissippi River; thence due east to the middle of the main channel of the Mississippi 
River; thence down ai'.d following the course of the Mississii)pi River, in the middle 
of the main channel thereof, to the place of beginning. (Sixteenth Congress, first 
session. ) 

]ji 1886 the boundaries were extended on the northwest to the Mis- 
souri River, as desci-ibed in the following act of the legislature amend- 
atory to the constitution of 182<>: 

That the boundary of the State be so altered and extended as to include all that 
tract of land lying on the north side of the Missouri River and west of the present 
boundary of this State, so that the same shall be bounded on the south by the middle 



124 HOUNDAKIES OF THE UNITED STATES. [lu ii./ifi. 

of the main clianiu'l (if tlic Missouri liivt-r an<l on tlic imith \>y the present imrthern 
buuiidary line of tlie State, as established by the constitution, when thesanie is con- 
tinueil ill a right line to the west, or to include so much of said tract of land as Con- 
gress may assent. 

This was ratified 1)}^ Congress in the toHowiiio- act: 

AN Af;T to cxtuiid the western boundary of the State of Missouri to tlie Missouri Kiver. 
That when tiie Indian title to all the lands lying between the State < if Missouri and 
the Missouri River shall be extinguislied, the jurisdiction over said lands shall be 
hereby ceded to the State of [Missouri, and the western boundary of said State shall 
be then extendeil to the ^lissouri River. (Twenty-fourth Congress, lirst sessifjn.) 

The north l)oundar\^ of Missouri was surveyed and marked in pail 
in 181*], and tlic remainder in 1850, under the General Land Office. 

The western houndar}' was run and marked, from the mouth of 
Kansas River to the southwestern corner of the State, in 1823. 

The territory remaining after the formation of the Statt; l)ore the 
name of ^Missouri for many years thereafter. ]\Ieanwhil(% however, 
it was reduced by the formation of several Territories ^^•hich were 
carved from its area. In 1834 the part north of the State of ]Mis.souri 
and east of Missouri and White Earth rivers was annexed to the Ter- 
ritory- of Michigan. (For further liistory of this portion, r/^/c Michi- 
gan, p. 12(»; Iowa, below; Minnesota, p. 12."); and Dakota, p. 12!>.) In 
1854 Kansas and Nebraska Territories were formed, absorbing the 
remainder. ( F/VA^ Kansas, p. 126, and Nebraska, p. 127.) 

The following ure the boundaries of Missouri tis at present estab- 
lished: The east l>ounclary is the mid-chiumel of the Mississip[)i Kiver 
from the mouth of the Des Moines to its point of intersection with the 
thirty-sixth i)arallel of latitude; the south ])oundary l)egins at tlii^ lat- 
ter point and runs west on the i)arallel of 3(3 degrees of latitude to the 
Saint Fraii'-is River, thence uj) the mid-channel of that river to the 
parallel of latitude 39^' 30', thence west on.tluit partdlel to its intersec- 
tion l)y a meridian passing through the middle of the mouth of the 
Kansas River; the west ])oundary is the hist-mentioned meridian as 
far north as the mouth of the Kansas River, thence it folh)Ws north- 
westward the mid-channel of the ^lissouri River to the parallel of 
latitude passing through the rapids of Des ]\Ioines River, which is 
approximatel}' the parallel of 40 35'; the north boundary is the Itist- 
mentioned parallel <is far east as its point of intersection with the Des 
Moines River, whence it follows the mid-channel of the Des Moines 
River south wtird to its mouth. 

IOWA. 

Iowa was organized as a Territory on July 3, 1838, being formed 
from a portion of Wisconsin Territory. The limits were detined as 
follows in the act creating it: 

All that part of the present Territory of Wisconsin wliich lies west of tlie Missis- 
sippi River and west of the line drawn due north from the headwaters or sources of 
the Mississippi to the Territorial line. (Twenty-lifth Congress, second session. See 
Wisconsin, p. 122.) 



U. S. GEOLOG'CAU SURVEY 



BULLETIN NO. 226 PL. XLVIII 




N E B R A S K 



HISTORICAL DIAGRAM OF MINNESOTA 




HISTORICAL DIAGRAM OF IOWA. 



•■•^^'^ '■■•".] IOWA MINNESOTA. 125 

The following- chaise from an act passed in 1S8!> is supplcmcntarv to 
tlie a))ove act: 

AX ACT to define and estahlisli the eastern l>oun(lary line of Itie Territory of Iowa. 

Tliat tlic iiiiildle or (vnter of the main chaimel of llie river Mit^sissippi shall be 
deeinetl, and is hereby declared, to be the eastern 1)onndary line of the Ti'rritory of 
Iowa, so far or to such extentas the said Territory is bonnded eastwardlv bv or upon 
saiil river. (Twenty-fifth Congress, third session.) 

Iowa was admitted to the Union on March 3, 1845. As orioinallv 
constituted the limits of the State were quite ditferejit from those 
which it has at present. 

The following- extract from the enahling act gives the original limits: 

That the following shall be the boundaries of the said State of Iowa, to wit: Begin- 
ning at the mouth of the Des Moines River at the middle of the Mississippi; thence 
by the middle of the channel of that river to a parallel of latitude i)assing through 
the mouth of the Mankato or Blue Earth Eiver; thence west along the said parallel 
of latitude to a jioint where it is intersected by a meridian line, seventeen degrees 
and tliirty minutes west of the meridian of Washington City; thence due south to 
the northern l)oundary line of the State of Missouri; thence eastwardly following 
that boundary to the })oint at which the same intersects the Des ^loines River; 
thence by the middle of the channel of that river to the jilace of l)eginning. 
(Twenty-eighth Congress, second session.) 

On December 28. 18-Ki. an act was passed (•hang-ing the l>oundaries 
of the State and g-iving it its present limits. 

The following- extract from the act detines the l)oundaries as at })res- 
ent constituted: 

Beginning in the middle of the main channel of the Mississippi River at a point 
due east of the middle of the mouth of the main channel of the Des Moines River; 
thence up the middle of the main cliannel of the said Des Moines River to a point 
on said river where the northern boundary line of the St^te of Missouri, as estab- 
lished by the constitution of that State, adopted June twelfth, eighteen hundred 
and twenty, crosses the said middle of the main channel of the said Des Moines 
River; thence westwardly along the said northern boundary line of the State of Mis- 
souri, as established at the time aforesaid, until an extension of said line intersect 
the middle of the main channel of the Missouri River, to a point opposite the middle 
of the main channel of the Big Sioux River, according to Nicollet's map; thence up 
the main channel of the said Big Sioux River, according to said map, until it is 
intersected by the parallel of forty-three. degrees and thirty minutes nortli latitude; 
thence east along said parallel of forty-three degrees and thirt\' minutes, until said 
parallel intersect the middle of the main channel of the Mississippi River; thence 
down the middle ol"' tlie main channel of said ^lississippi River to the place of 
beginning. 

Its northern boundary was surveved and marked in lSo'2, under the 
General Land Office. 

MINNESOTA. 

The Territory of Minnesota was org-anized on March 8, 184!), and 
originally comprised the portion of the former Territory of Iowa, out- 
side of the limits of the present State of Iowa, extending east to the 



] 2<J BOUNDAKIKS OF THE TTNITP:D STATP:S. [Bri.i..226. 

west boundiuy line ot" Wisconsin. The terms of the act creatine- this 
Torritorv. so tai" as they relate to its hoimdary, are as follows: 

All that i>art <>f tin- tcriitury of the United States which lies within the following 
limits, to wit: Ik'^riiuiiiig in the Minsispippi River, at the point where the line of 
forty-thrcr dctrrees and thirty minutes of north latitude crosses the same; thence 
runiiin<,' due west on said line, which is the northern l)oundary of the State of Iowa, 
to the nortliwest corner of the said State of Iowa; thence southerly along the west- 
ern boundary of said State ttj the point where said boundary strikes the Missouri 
River; thence up the middle of the main channel of the Missouri River to the mouth 
of the White Earth River; thence up the middle of the main channel of the White 
Earth River to the boundary line between the possessions of the United States and 
Great Britain to Lake Superior; thence along the western boundary line of said State 
of Wisi'onsin to the Mississippi River; thence down the main channel of said river to 
the place of beginning. (Thirtieth Congress, second session.) 

Minnesota was admitted as a State on ^lay 11, 1858, with the same 
boundaries which it has at present. These are given in the enabling" 
act as follows: 

Beginning at the point in the center of the main channel of the Red River of the 
North where the boundary line between the United States and the British Pos.sessions 
crosses the same; thence up the main channel of said river to that of the Bois des 
Sioux River; thence up the main channel of said river to Lake Traverse; thence up 
the center of said lake to the southern extremity thereof; thence in a direct line to 
the head of Big Stone Lake; thence through its center to its outlet; thence by a due 
south line to the north line of the State of Iowa; thence east along the northern 
boundary of said State to the main channel of the ]Mississippi River; thence u[) the 
main channel of said river and following the boundary line of the State of 'Wiscon- 
sin until the same intersects the Saint Louis River; thence down said river to and 
through La,ke Superior, on the boundary line of Wisconsin and Michigan, until it 
intersects the dividing line between the United States and the British Possessions; 
thence up Pigeon River, and following said dividing line, to the place of beginning. 

The western boundary line, from Big Sioux River to Minnesota 
River, was surveyed and marked in 1859-60, under the General Land 
Office. 

KANSAS. 

The Territory of Kansas was organized on May 30, 185-1, from a 
part of Missouri Territory, The following clause from the act of 
organization defines its limits: 

Section 19. All that part of the territory of the United States included within the 
following limits, except such portions thereof as are hereinafter expressly exempted 
from the operations of this act, to wit: Beginning at a point on the western boundary 
of the State of jNIissouri, where the thirty-seventh parallel of north latitude crosses 
the same; thence west on said parallel to the eastern boundary of New Mexico; 
thence north on said boundary to latitude thirty-eight; thence following said 
boundary westward to the east boundary of the Territory of Utah, on the sunmiit of 
the Rocky Mountains; thence northward on said summit to the fortieth parallel of 
latitude; thence east on said parallel to the western boundary of the State of Mis- 
souri; thence south with the western boundary of said State to the place of begin- 
ning, be, and the same is hereby, created into a temporary government by the name 
of the Territorv of Kansas. 



U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 



BULLETIN NO. 226 PL. XLIX 



W A 




N- M E X 



HISTORICAL DIAGRAM OF KANSAS. 



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HISTORICAL DIAGRAM OF NEBRASKA. 



GANNETT.] KANSAS — NEBRASKA. 127 

A portion of thits Territory wa.s oiven up to Colorado at the time of 
its formation in 1801. {Vide Colorado, p. 132.) 

Kansas was admitted into the Union on January 29 ISOI. with its 
present boundaries, which are thus detined in the enabling- act: 

The said State shall consist nf all the territory included within the following 
boundaries, to wit: Beginning at a point on the western boundary of the State of 
Missouri where the thirty-seventh parallel of north latitude crosses the same; thence 
west on said parallel to the twenty-tifth meridian of longitude west from Washington; 
thence north on said meridian to the fortieth parallel of latitu !e; thence east on said 
parallel to the western boundary of the State of Missouri; thence south with the 
western boundary of said State to the place of lieginning. 

The south l)oundary was surveyed and marked l>y Col. fl. E. Jolin- 
ston, in 18.57. This line was subsequentl}' retraced and re-marked by 
deputy surveyors, in the extension of the public land surveys. The 
western boundary was surveyed in 1872, under the General Land 
Office. 

The nortli ])oundary, which is the base line for the sixth principal 
meridian, was run ])y deputy surveyors of the General Land Office, 
1855-185!*, the initial point, on the ^Missouri river, having- been deter- 
mined by Capt. Lee, U. S. topographical engineer. 

XEBKASKA. 

The Territory- of Nebraska was formed on May 30, 1854, from the 
northwestern part of Missouri Territory. Its limits, as originally 
constituted, are detined as follows in the act of organization: 

Beginning at a point in the Missouri River where the fortieth parallel of north 
latitude crosses the same; thence west on said parallel to the east boundary of the 
Territory of Utah, on the summit of the Rocky ^Mountains; thence on said summit 
northward to the forty-ninth parallel c>f north latitude; thence east on said parallel 
to the western boundary of the Territory of Minnesota; thence southward on said 
boundary to the ^Missouri River; thence down the main channel of said river to the 
place of beginning, be, and the same is hereby, created into a temporary government 
by the name of the Territory of Nebraska. (Thirty-third Congress, first session. ) 

This area was reduced in 1861 by the formation of the Territories of 
Colorado and Dakota. ( Vide Colorado, p. 132, and Dakota, p. 120.) 

In 18()1, in the act creating' the Territor}" of Dakota, a small area 
was udded to the western end of Nebraska. The following is the text 
of the act making this addition: 

That, until Congress shall otherwise direct, that portion of the Territories of Utah 
and Washington between the forty-first and forty-third degrees of north latitude, 
and east of the thirty-third meridian of longitude west from Washington, shall be, 
and is hereby, incorporated into and made a part of the Territory of Nebraska. 

The State of Nebraska was admitted on March 1, 1867. 
Its limits are detined as follows in the enabling act: 

That tlie said State of Nebraska shall consist of all the territory included within 
the following boundaries, to wit: Commencini; at a point formed by the intersection 



128 BOUNDARIES OF THP: UNITED STATES. [bill. iiti. 

of the western 1)Oun(lary of the State of Miss^duii with tlir lurtieth degree of north 
latituile; extending thence due we.«t along said fortieth degree of north latituch' to 
u point formed l)y its intersection with the twenty-fifth degree of longitude west 
from Washington; thence north along said twenty-llfth degree of longitude to a 
point formed by its intersection with the fortv-tirst degree of north latitude; thence 
west along said forty-first degree of nortli latitu le to a jioint formed ]>y its intersec- 
tion with the twenty-seventh degree of longitude west from Washington; thence 
north along said twenty-seventh degree of west longitude to a point formed by its 
intersection with the forty-third degree of north latitude; thence east along said 
forty-thinl degree of north latitude to the Keyapaha River; thence down the middle 
of the channel of said river, with its meanderings, to its junction with the Niobrara 
River; thence down the middle of the channel of said Nio])rara River, and following 
the meanderings thereof, to its junction with the Missouri River; thence down the 
mid<lle of the channel of said Missouri River, and following the meanderings thereof, 
to the i)lace of beginning. (Thirty-eighth Congress, first session.) 

In IcSTo an act was passed to vedetine a portion of the l)oundai\v 
between Nebraska and the Territory of Dakota, tlie pertinent portion 
of which is as follows: 

That so soon as the State of Nebraska, through her legislature, has given her con- 
sent thereto, the center of the main channel of the Missouri River shall be the bound- 
ary line between the State of Nebraska and Territory of Dakota, between the follow- 
ing points, to wit: Commencing at a j^oint in the center of said main channel, north 
of the west line of section twenty-four in township twentV-nine north, of range eight 
east of the sixth principal meridian, and running along the same to a point west of 
the most northerly portion of fractional section seventeen, of township twenty-nine 
north, of range nine east of said meridian, in the State of Neljraska, as meandered 
and shown In' the plats and surveys of said sections originally made and now on 
file in the General Land Oltice. (Forty-first Congress, second session.) 

The >vest l)oundary on the twenty-tifth degree of longitude west of 
Washington, between latitudes 40^ and 41^, the south boundar}' on 
the forty-first parallel from the twenty -fifth degree of longitude to the 
twenty-seventh deg'ree. and the west boundary on the twenty-seventh 
degree of longitude, l)etween the forty-first degree and the forty-third 
degree, were surveyed and marked in 1869, under the General Land 
Office. 

In iSSi} an act was passed transferring to this State from Dakota a 
small area lying between the Keyapaha River and the forty-third par- 
allel of latitude. The following is the act in question: 

Be it enacted, * * * That the northern boundary of the State of Nebraska shall 
be, and hereby is, subject to the provisions hereinafter contained, extended so as to 
include all that portion of the Territory of Dakota lying south of the forty-third 
parallel of north latitude and east of the Keyapaha River and west of the main 
channel of the Missouri River. (Forty-seventh Congress, first session. ) 

The north boundary, from the Keyapaha River Avestward, was sur- 
ve3'ed in 1873. In 1893 the part of this l)oundary east of Ke3'apaha 
River was survej'ed and the remainder resurveyed. All this was done 
under the General Land Oflice. 



U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEV 



BULLETIN NO. 236 PL. L 




HISTORICAL DIAGRAM OF NORTH DAKOTA AND SOUTH DAKOTA. 




HISTORICAL DIAGRAM OF OKLAHOMA. 



GANNETT] BOUNDARY LINES OF THE STATES. 129 

NORTH DAKOTA AND SOUTH DAKOTA. 

The Territory of Dakota was organized on March 2, 1861, from parts 
of Minnesota and Nebraska Territories. The following from the act 
of organization defines its original limits: 

All that part of the territory of the United States included within the following 
limits, namely: Commencing at a point in the main channel of the Eed River of the 
North where the forty-ninth degree of north latitude crosses the same; thence up 
the main channel of the same and along the boundary of the State of Minnesota to 
Big Stone Lake; thence along the boundary line of the said State of Minnesota to 
the Iowa line; thence alcmg the boundary line of the State of Iowa to the point of 
intersection between the Big Sioux and Missouri rivers; thence up the Missouri 
River and along the boundary line of the Territory of Nebraska to the mouth of the 
Niobrara or Running Water River; thence followmg up the s ame, in the middle of 
the main channel thereof, to the mouth of the Keyarj^fta or Turtle Hill Riverfthence~"K«^ 
up said river to the forty-third parallel of north latitude; thence due west to the 
present Ijoundary of the Territory of \Yashington; thence along the boundary line 
of Washington Territory to the forty-ninth degree of north latitude; thence east 
along said forty-ninth degree of north latitude to the place of beginning, be, and the 
same is hereby, organized into a temporary government by the name of the Territory 
of Dakota. (Thirty-sixth Congress, second session. ) 

In 1863 the Territory of Idaho was formed, its area having been 
taken from Washington, Dakota, and Nebraska. ( Ylde Idaho, p. 136.) 

In 1861, in the act creating Montana Territory, the area described 
in the following paragraph was temporarily restored to the jurisdic- 
tion of Dakota: 

That, until Congress shall otherwise direct, all that part of the Territory of Idaho 
included within the following boundaries, to wit: Connnencing at a point formed by 
tho intersection of the thirty-third degree of longitude west from Washington with 
the forty-first degree of north latitude; thence along said thirty-third degree of longi- 
tude to the crest of the Rocky Mountains; thence northward along the said crest of 
the Rocky Mountains to its intersection with the forty-fourth degree and thirty min- 
utes of north latitude; thence eastward along said forty-fourth degree thirty minutes 
north latitude to the thirty-fourth degree of longitude west from Washington; thence 
northward along said thirty-fourth degree of longitude to its intersection with the 
forty-fifth degree north latitude; thence eastward along said forty-fifth degree of 
north latitude to its intersection with the twenty-seventh degree of longitude west 
from Washington; thence south along said twenty-seventh degree of longitude west 
from Washington to the forty-first degree north latitude; thence west along said 
forty-first degree of latitude to the place of beginning, shall be, and is liereby, incor- 
porated temporarily into and made part of the Territory of Dakota. 

In 1882 a small area was transferred to Nebraska. ( Yide Nebraska, 
p. 127.) 

In 1877 that part of the west boiindar}- between latitudes 13"^ and 
15^ was surve3^ed and marked, under the General Land Office. 

On November 2, 1889, the Territory of Dakota was div'ided into 
North and South Dakota, and each was admitted as a State. The fol- 
lowing extract from the enabling act defines the boundary between 
these States: 

The area comprising the Territory of Dakota shall * * * be divided on the 
line of the seventh standard • arallel produced due west to the western boundary of 
said Territory. 

Bull. 226—04 15 



130 HOUNDARIER OF THE UNITED STATES. [Hri,i..22G. 

The l)()un(lary line iH'twccn the two States was surveyed in lsi>l-92, 
under the General Land Office. 

OKLAHOMA. 

The Territory of Okhihonia was organized under an a<;t passed May 
2, 1890, from the western part of the Indian Territory. Its limits as 
originally constituted were as is set forth in the following act: 

Be it enacted by the Senate and Hoatte of Representatives of the United States of America 
in Comjress assembled, Sec. 1. That all that portion of the United States now known 
as the Indian Territory, except so nuich of the same as is actually occupied by the 
Five Civilized Tribes, and the Indian tribes within the Quapaw Indian Agency, and 
except the unoccupied part of the Cherokee Outlet, together with that portion of the 
United States known as the Public Land Strip, is hereby erected into a temporary 
government ])y the name of the Territory of Oklahoma. The portion of the Indian 
Territory included in said Territory of Oklahoma is bounded by a line drawn as 
follows: Commencing at a point where the ninety-eighth meridian crosses the Red 
River; thence by said meridian to the point where it crosses the Canadian River; 
thence along said river to the west line of the Seminole country; thence along said 
line to the north fork of the Canadian River; thence down said river to the west 
line of the Creek country; thence along said line to the northwest corner of the 
Creek country; thence along the north line of the Creek country to the ninety-sixth 
meridian; thence northward by said meridian to the southern boundary line of 
Kansas; thence west along said line to the Arkansas River; thence down said river 
to the north line of the land occupied by the Ponca tribe of Indians, from which 
point the line runs so as to include all the lands occupied by the Ponca, Tonkawa, 
Otoe and Missouria, and the Pawnee tribes of Indians until it strikes the south line 
of the Cherokee Outlet, which it follows westward to the east line of the State of 
Texas; thence by the boundary line of the State of Texas to the point of beginning. 
The Public Land Strip which is included in said Territory of Oklahoma is bounded 
east by the one hundredth meridian, south by Texas, west by New Mexico, north' 
by Colorado and Kansas. Whenever the interest of the Cherokee Indians in the 
land known as the Cherokee Outlet shall have been extinguished and the President 
shall make proclamation thereof, said outlet shall thereupon and without further 
legislation become a part of the Territory of Oklahoma. Any other lands within the 
Indian Territory not embraced within these boundaries shall hereafter become a 
part of the Territory of Oklahoma whenever the Indian nation or tribe owning such 
lands shall signify to the President of the LTnited States in legal manner its assent 
that such lands shall so become a part of said Territory of Oklahoma, and the Presi- 
dent shall thereupon make proclamation to that effect. 

The lands embraced within the limits above set forth comprised the 
present Territory of Oklahoma, with the exception of an area on the 
north known as the Cherokee Strip, and provision was made for its 
incorporation, without additional legislation, within the Territory 
whenever the Indian title to it should be extinguished. This was 
done and the strip was added to the Territor}' by proclamation of the 
President, issued in September, 1893, giving Oklahoma its present 
limits. These difl'er from those above set forth onl}^ in a part of the 
northern boundary, which now corresponds with the south boundary 
of Kansas from the ninety-sixth meridian west. 



cANNETT.] BOUNDARY LINES OF THE STATES. 131 

MONTANA. 

The Territoiy of Montana was oroanized May 26, 1864, from a por- 
tion of Idaho. Its limits, which have been changed ])ut slightl}^ are 
oiven in the following extract from the organizing act: 

That all that part of the territory of the Uuited States included witlun the limits, 
to wit: Comiuencing at a point formed by the intersection of the twenty -seventh 
degree of longitude west from AVasliington with the forty-fifth degree of north lati- 
tude; thence due west on said forty-fifth degree of latitude to a point formed by its 
intersection with the thirty-fourth degree of longitude west from Washington; thence 
due south along said thirty-fourth degree of longitude to its intersection with the 
fi:)rty-fourth degree and thirty minutes of north latitude; thence due w^est along said 
f(u-ty-fourth degree and thirty minutes of north latitude to a point formed by its 
intersection with the crest of the Rocky Mountains; thence following the crest of 
the Rocky Mountains northward till its intersection with the Bitter Root Mountains; 
thence northward along the crest of said Bitter Root Mountains to its intersection 
with the thirty-ninth degree of longitude west from AVashington; thence along said 
thirty-ninth degree of longitude northward to the boundary line of the British pos- 
sessions; thence eastward along said boundary line to the twenty-seventh degree of 
longitude west from Washington ; thence southward along said twenty-seventh degree 
of longitude to the place of beginning, be, and the same is hereby, created into a 
temporary government by the name of the Territory of Montana. (Thirt}'-eighth Con- 
gress, first session. ) 

In 1S73 Congress, under the erroneous impression that a portion of 
Dakota remained west of Wyoming, and adjoining Montana, passed an 
act to attach it to Montana. As, however, no such detached area could 
by an}' possibility have existed, the compilers of the Revised Statutes 
sought to give the act effect by shifting a portion of the southern bound- 
ary of Montana from the parallel of 44:^ 30' to the continental water- 
shed, thereby reducing Montana's area. The following is the act 
referred to: 

AN ACT to readjust the western boundary of Dakota Territory. 

That all that portion of Dakota Territorj- lying west of the one hundred and elev- 
enth meridian of longitude which, by an erroneous definition of the boundaries of 
said Territory by a former act of Congress, remains detached and distant from Dakota 
proper some two hundred miles, be, and the same is hereby, attached to the adjoining 
territory of Montana. ( Forty -second Congress, third session.) 

The boundaries of Montana are as follows: Beginning at the inter- 
section of the twentj^-seventh meridian of longitude with the boundary 
line between the United States and the British possessions, it follows 
said meridian south to the forty-fifth parallel of latitude, thence west 
on this parallel to the thirty -fourth meridian, south on the thirty-fourth 
meridian to the point where that meridian intersects the continental 
watershed, thence westward and northwestward, following the line of 
the continental watershed and the summit of the Bitter Root range, 
to its intersection with the thirtv-ninth meridian; thence north on the 
thirt3'-ninth meridian to the boundary line between the United States 



132 BOUNDARIER OF THE TTNTTED STATES. [Btii.i,.226. 

and Hriti.sh po.sse.s.sioiis and cast on that boundary line to the point of 
bcgiiHunj>\ 

The east boundary of Montana was surveyed and marked in 1S85, 
and the south ))oundary in 1879-80, under the General Land Office. 
That portion of the west boundary between the crest of the Bitter Root 
Mountains and the Canada line was surveyed and marked in 1898-99, 
under the United States Geological Survey. 

Montana was admitted as a State on November 8, 1889, with the 
above boundaries. 

WYOMING. 

Wyoming was organized as a Territory on ^lul}^ 25, 18f)8, from an 
area previously comprised in the Territories of Dakota, Idaho, and 
Utah. Its limits, which are the same as originally constituted, are 
defined in the following clause from the act creating the Territory: 

That all that part of the United States described as follows: Commencing at the 
intersection of the twenty-seventh meridian of longitude west from Washington 
with the forty-fifth degree of north latitude, and running thence west to the thirty- 
fourth meridian of Avest longitude, thence south to the forty-first degree of north 
latitude, thence east to the twenty-seventh meridian of west longitude, and thence 
north to the place of beginning, be, and the same is hereby, organized into a tempo- 
rary government by the name of the Territory of Wyoming. (Fortieth Congress, 
second session. ) 

Wyoming was admitted as a State on Jul}' lU, 1890, with the above 
boundaries. 

The south and west boundaries were surveyed and marked in 1873, 
under the General Land Office. 

COLORADO. 

Colorado was organized as a Territory on February 28, 1861, with 
the limits which it has at present, being made from portions of Utah, 
New Mexico, Kansas, and Nebraska. 

On August 1, 1876, it was admitted as a State. 

The following clause from the enabling act gives its limits: 

AN ACT to enable the people of Colorado to form a constitution and State government, and for the 
admission of such State into the Union on an equal footing with the original States. 

Sec. 2. That the said State of Colorado shall consist of all the territory included 
within the following boundaries, to wit: Commencing at a jjoint formed by the inter- 
section of the thirty-seventh degree of north latitude with the twenty-fifth degree of 
longitude west from Washington; extending thence due west along said thirty- 
seventh degree of north latitude to a point formed by its intersection with the thirty- 
second degree of longitude west from Washington; thence due north along said 
thirty-second degree of west longitude to a point formed by its intersection with the 
forty-first degree of north latitude; thence due east along said forty-first degree of 
north latitude to a point formed by its intersection with the twenty-fifth degree of 
longitude west from Washington; thence due south along said twenty-fifth degree 
of west longitude. (Thirty -eighth Congress, first session.) 



U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 



BULLETIN NO. 226 PL. LI 



COLOR A P Q 
Reductio 




HISTORICAL DIAGRAM OF NEW MEXICO. 



OREGON! I 



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D 



ZONA I N MEX. 



HISTORICAL DIAGRAM OF UTAH. 



GANNETT.] NEW MEXICO UTAH. 133 

The south boundaiy of Colorado was run and marked in 1S6S and 
1874, and the west boundar}' in 1^78-79. Tlie latter line was retraced 
and re-marked in 1885. All this was under the General Land Office. 

NEW MEXICO. 

New Mexico was organized as a Territory on December 13, 1850. 
Its original area formed a part of the region transferred by Mexico to 
the United States by the treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo and by Texas. 
It was subsequently enlarged by the Gadsden Purchase. The forma- 
tion of Colorado Territory in 1861 and of Arizona in 1863 reduced 
its area to its present limits. ( Vide Colorado, p. 132, and Arizona, 
p. 131.) 

The following clause from the act creating the Territoiy gives its 
original limits: 

Section 2. And be it further enacted, That all that portion of the territory of the 
United States bounded as follows: Beginning at a point in the Colorado River, where 
the boundary line with the Republic of Mexico crosses the same; thence eastwardly 
with the said boundary line to the Rio Grande; thence following the main channel 
of said river to the parallel of the thirty-second degree of north latitude; thence east 
with said degree to its intersection with the one hundred and third degree of longi- 
tude west of Greenwich; thence north with said degree of longitude to the parallel 
of thirty-eighth degree of north latitude; thence west with said parallel to the sum- 
mit of the Sierra Madre; thence south with the crest of said mountains to the thirty- 
seventh parallel of north latitude; thence west with said parallel to its intersection 
with the boundary line of the State of California; thence with said boundary line to 
the place of beginning — l)e, and the same is hereby, erected into a temporary gov- 
ernment by the name of the Territory of New Mexico. (Thirty-first Congress, first 
session. ) 

The present boundaries of New Mexico are as follows: Beginning at 
the point of intersection of the one hundred and third meridian of 
longitude west of Greenwich with the thirt3^-seventh parallel of latitude; 
running thence south to its point of intersection with the thirtj^-second 
parallel of latitude; thence west on this parallel to its intersection with 
the Rio Grande; thence southerly down the main channel of the Rio 
Grande to its point of intersection with the boundaiy line between the 
United States and Mexico; thence with this boundary to its intersec- 
tion with the thirty-second meridian of longitude; thence north along 
this meridian to the thirty-seventh parallel of latitude, and so along 
that parallel to the point of beginning. 

The west boundary of New Mexico was run and marked in 1875, 
under the General Land Office. 

UTAH. 

Utah was organized on September 9, 1850, from territory acquired 
from Mexico by the treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo. Its limits origi- 
nally extended from the eastern boundaiy of California to the Rocky 



\>H BOUNDARIES OF THE UNITED STATES. [BrLi..2-2G. 

Mountains, iind from the thirty-seventh to the forty -second paniHeh 
This area was I'educed by the formation, in 1<S(!1, of the Territories of 
Nevada OvV/^^ p. 185) and Cok)rado (.svy> p. i;W, and in 1804 and 1866 
b}' the extension eastward of the limits of the State of Nevada. 
The following' is an extract from the act creating the Territory: 

All that part of the territory of the United States included within the following 
limits, to wit: Bounded on the west by the State of California, on the north by the 
Territory of Oregon, and on the east by the summit of the Rocky Mountains, and on 
the south by the thirty-seventh parallel of north latitude, Ije, and the same is hereby, 
created into a temporary government, by the name of the Territory of Utah. 

The present boundaries of Utah are as follows: Commencing with 
the intersection of the forty-second parallel of latitude with the thirt}'- 
fourth meridian of longitude; running thence south on this meridian 
to the forty-first parallel of latitude; thence east on this parallel to 
the thirty-second meridian of longitute; thence south on this meridian 
to its intersection with the thirty-seventh parallel of latitude; thence 
west upon this parallel of latitude to its intersection with the thirty- 
seventh meridian of longitude; thence north on this meridian to its 
intersection with the forty-seventh parallel of latitude; thence east on 
the forty-seventh parallel of latitude to the point of beginning. 

Utah was admitted as a State on January 4, 1896, with the above 
boundaries. 

Its north boundary, from longitude M'^ to 37^, was surveyed and 
marked in 1871, and its west boundary in 1870, under the General 
Land Office. 

ARIZONA, 

Arizona was organized as a Territory on February 2-t, 1863. Its 
area was formerly comprised in the Territory of New Mexico. In 
1866 a portion of it was cut off and given to the State of Nevada. 
( Vide Nevada, p. 135.) The following clause from the act creating it 
gives its limits as originally constituted: 

That all that part of the present Territory of New Mexico situate west of the line 
running due south from the point where the southwest corner of the Territory of 
Colorado joins the northern boundary of the Territory of New Mexico to the southern 
boundary line of said Territory of New Mexico be, and the same is hereby, erected 
into a temporary government by the name of the Territory of Arizona. (For limits 
of the piece cut off and added to Nevada, see that State. ) 

The present boundaries of Arizona are as follows: Beginning at the 
point of intersection of the thirty-seventh parullol of latitude with the 
thirty-second meridian of longitude; thence south along this meridian 
to its intersection with the boundary line between the United States 
and Mexico; thence with this boundary to the Colorado River; thence 
up the middle of the main channel of the Colorado River to its point 
of intersection with the thirty-seventh meridian of longitude; north 



U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 



BULLETIN NO. 226 PL. Lll 



U T AJ H i C L 




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HISTORICAL DIAGRAM OF ARIZONA. 




HISTORICAL DIAGRAM OF NEVADA. 



GANNETT.l NKVADA, 135 

on this meridian to its intersection with the thirty-seventh parallel; and 
eastward along- the thirty-seventh parallel to the point of beg'innint^. 

NEVADA. 

Nevada, as orig-inally constituted on March 2, 1861, was formed 
from territory taken from Utah. Its western boundar}^ was made to 
conform to the eastern ])oundarv of California (^vV7^^ California, p. 139); 
its northern ])oundarv, was, as now, the forty -second parallel; the 
eastern was the meridian of 39°, and the southern the parallel of 37°. 
B}' the enabling act the eastern limit was extended to the thirty- 
eighth meridian. It was admitted as a State October 31, 1864, with 
above limits as modified by the enabling act, and in 1866 its eastern 
limits were still further extended to longitude 37°, and its southern 
line established as at present, the latter addition having been made 
from Arizona. 

In the act organizing the Territory the boundaries are defined as 
follows: 

Beginning at the point of intersection of the forty-second degree of north latitude 
with the thirty-nintli degree of longitude west from Washington; thence running 
south on the line of said thirty ninth degree of west longitude until it intersects 
the northern boundar)^ line of the Territory of New Mexico; thence due west to the 
dividing ridge separating the waters of Carson Valley from those that flow into the 
Pacific; thence on said dividing ridge northwardly to the forty-first degree of north 
latitude; thence due north to the southern boundary of the State of Oregon; thence 
due east to the place of beginning. (Thirty-sixth Congress, second session. ) 

The following is the text of that portion of the enabling act relating 
to boundaries: 

Sec. 2. That the said State of Nevada shall consist of all the territory included 
within the following boundaries, to wit: Commencnng at a point formed by the 
intersection of the thirty-eighth degree of longitude west from Washington with the 
thirty -seventh degree of north latitude; thence due west along said thirty-seventh 
degree of north latitude to the eastern boundary line of the State of California; 
thence in a northwesterly direction along the said eastern boundary line of the State 
of California to the forty-third degree of longitude west from Washington ; thence 
north along said forty-third degree of west longitude and said eastern boundary line 
of the State of California to the forty-second degree of north latitude; thence due 
east along the said forty-second degree of north latitude to a point formed by its 
intersection with the aforesaid thirty-eighth degree of longitude west from Washing- 
ton; thence due south down said thirty-eighth degree of west longitude to the place 
of beginning. (Thirty-eighth Congress, first session. ) 

The following act makes the addition to. its area from Arizona 
referred to above: 

AN ACT concerning the boundaries of the State of Nevada. 

That, as provided for and consented to in the constitution of the State of Nevada, 
all that territory and tract of land adjoining the present eastern boundary of the 
State of Nevada, and lying between the thirty-seventh and the forty-second degrees 
of north latitude and west of the thirty-seventh degree of longitude west of Wash- 
ington, is hereby added to and made a part of the State of Nevada. 



136 ijoundarij:s of the ttnitp:d states. [BIU..226. 

SEf. 2. That there is hereby added to and made a part of the State oi Nevada all 
that extent of territory lying within the following boundaries, to wit: Commencing 
on the thirty-seventh degree of north latitude at the thirty-seventh degree of longi- 
tude west from Washington, and running thence south on said degree of longitude to 
the middle of the river Colorado of the West; thence down tlie middle of said river 
to the eastern boundary of the State of California; thence northwesterly along said 
boundary of California to the thirty-seventh degree of north latitude; and thence 
east along said degree of latitude to the point oi beginning. (Thirty-ninth Congress, 
first session. ) 

The present limits of Nevada are a.s follows: 

The east boundary is the thirty-seventh meridian of longitude, 
extending- from the forty-second parallel of latitude southward to its 
intersection with the middle of the Colorado River; thence following 
the mid-channel of the Colorado Kiver down to the point where it 
intersects the thirty-iifth parallel of latitude; the southwest boundary 
is the arc of a great circle running from the last-mentioned point and 
the point of intersection of the one hundred and twentieth degi-ee of 
longitude west of Greenwich with the thirty-ninth parallel of latitude; 
the west boundary is the one hundred and twentieth degree of longitude 
west of Greenwich; the north boundary is the fort3'-second parallel of 
lalitude. 

The north boundary was surveyed and marked in 1873, and the west 
boundary, from latitude 42- south to Lake Tahoe and thence southeast 
to Colorado River, in latitude 35°, in 1872, under the General Land 
Office. Between 1890 and 1899 the United States Coast and Geodetic 
Survey, under an appropriation by Congress, ran a new line from 
Lake Tahoe to Colorado River, difiering widely in some places from 
the former line. 

IDAHO. 

The Territory of Idaho was formed March 3, 1863, from parts of 
Washington, Dakota, and Nebraska. Its original limits, wdiich 
included, besides the present territory, all of Montana and Wyoming, 
were given as follows in the act organizing the Territory: 

That all that part of the territory of the United States included within the follow- 
ing limits, to wit: Beginning at a point in the middle channel of the Snake River 
where the northern boundary of Oregon intersects the same; then follow down said 
channel of Snake River to a point opposite the mouth of the Kooskooskia, or Clear- 
water River; thence due north to the forty-ninth parallel of latitude; thence east 
along said parallel to the twenty-seventh degree of longitude west of Washington; 
thence south along said degree of longitude to the northern boundary of Colorado 
Territory; thence west along said boundary to the thirty-third degree of longitude 
west of Washington; thence north along said degree to the forty-second parallel of 
latitude; thence west along said parallel to the eastern boundary of the State of 
Oregon; thence north along said boundary to the place of beginning. (Thirty- 
seventh Congress, third session. ) 

From this wei'e formed Montana in 1864 (vide Montana, p. 131) and 
Wyoming {vide Wyoming, p. 132) in 1868, thereby reducing this 



U. S. GEOLOGICAL SUPVEY 



BULLETIN NO. 226 PL. Llll 



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HISTORICAL DIAGRAM OF IDAHO. 



GANNETT.] IDAHO OREGON. 137 

territory, with the small addition made in 1873 {vide Montana, p. 131), 
to its present limits. 

The present boundary line of Idaho is as follows: Beginning at the 
intersection of the thirt^'-ninth meridian with the boundary line 
between the United States and the British Possessions, it follows said 
meridian south luitil it reaches the summit of the Bitter Root Moun- 
tains; thence southeastAvard along the crest of the Bitter Root range 
and the continental divide mitil it intersects the meridian of thirty- 
fouT" degrees of longitude; thence south w^ard on this meridian to the 
fort3"-second parallel of latitude; thence west on this parallel of lati- 
tude to its intersection with a meridian drawn through the mouth of 
the Owyhee River; north on this meridian to the mouth of the Owyhee 
River; thence down the mid-channel of the Snake River to the mouth 
of the Clearwater; and thence north on the meridian which passes 
through the mouth of the Clearwater to the boundary line between 
the United States and the British Possessions; and east on said 
boundary line to the place of beginning. 

On July 3, 1890, Idaho was admitted as a State with the above 
limits. 

The west boundary of Idaho, from the mouth of Clearwater River to 
the forty-ninth parallel, was surveyed and marked in 1873-74. The 
longitude of this line has been determined by the United States Geo- 
logical Survey to be 117° 02' 2>^" . The west boundar}^ from the mouth 
of Owyhee River south to the Nevada boundar}^, was surveyed and 
marked in 1867. Its longitude has been determined as 117° 01' 56" by 
the United States Geological Surve}-. Both these lines were run under 
the General Land Office. 

OREGON. 

Oregon Territor^^ was organized August 1-1, 18'J:8. The grounds of 
our title to its area are obscure. In treating with Great Britain for the 
establishment of our northern boundary west of the Rocky Mountains 
this region was claimed on three grounds — that of discovery and occu- 
pation, the Louisiana purchase, and cession from Spain. On which of 
these grounds we succeeded in having the boundary established on the 
forty-ninth parallel will never be ascertained, and is of little moment. 

The Territory as originally established extetided from the forty- 
second to the fort}- -ninth parallel, and from the Pacific Ocean to the 
crest of the Rock}^ Mountains, with boundaries defined in the organ- 
izing act as follows: 

All that part of the territory of the United States which lies west of the summit of 
the Rocky Mountains, north of the forty-second degree of north latitude, known as 
the Territorj' of Oregon, shall be organized into and constitute a temporary govern- 
ment by the name of the Territory of Oregon. (Thirtieth Congress, first session.) 

In 1853 the Territor}^ was reduced by the formation of Washington 
Territory {vide Washington, p. 138), and on February 14, 1859, it was 



l.'}8 HOUNDAKIKS OF TIIK IJNITKJJ STATES. tiiui.L.226. 

admitted as a State with its ])i-osent lioiuidarics. 'I'licsc sire dcfinod 
Ixilow ill ail extract fi'oiii the State coiiNtitution: 

JJetxiiiniiij^ one iiiiiriiic Ic-ji^iu^ at sen (hie wc.st fioiii the point wlicn; tli(^ forty- 
HC(^()ii(l 2);irjill(!l of Mortli latHiidc iiitcrHcctH tlu! Harm;; thciicc northerly, at tin- Haiiie 
distances from tho line of the coast lyiiif^ west and oppositt^ the State, inclndinj^ all 
islands within the jurisdiction of the United States, to a point due west and opi>oHite 
the middh^ of the north ship channi^l of tlie Coluinhia Kiv(!r; thence easterly to and 
up th(! middle chami((l of sai<l river, and where it is divide<l l)y islands, up the middle 
(jf the wideHt cliannel thereof, and in like manner up the middle of the main channel 
of Snake River to the mouth of the Owyhee River; thence due Houth to the i)arallel 
of latitude forty-two degrees north; thence west along said parallel to the place of 
In-ginning, including jurisdiction in (;ivil and crinunal cases upf)n the Columbia Jiiver 
and Snake River concurrently with States and Territories of which those rivers form 
a boundary in common with this State. But the Congress of the TTnited RtateH, in 
proviiling for the admission of this Statcunto the Union, may make the said northern 
boundary conform to the act creating the Territory of Washington. 

The boundary line between Oregon and Washington on the forty- 
sixtli parallel of liititude was surveyed and marked in iSO-i, under the 
General Land OlHce. 

WASHINGTON. 

This was organized Mareh 2, 1S53, from a part of Oregon Territory. 
Its limits, as originally constituted, were as given in the following 
clause from the act of Congress creating it: 

That from and after the passage of this act all that i>ortion of Oregon Territory 
lying and l)eing south of the forty-ninth degree of north latitude, and north of the 
middle of the main channel of the Columbia River from its mouth to where the 
forty-sixth degree of north latitude crosses said river, near Fort Walla Walla, thence 
with said forty-sixth degree of latitude to the summit of the Rocky Mountains, be 
organized into and constitute a temporary government by the name of the Territory 
of Washington. (Thirty-second Congress, second session.) 

In 1851>, on the formation of the State of Oregon, the residue of the 
Territory of Oregon, ))eing the portion lying east of the present limits 
of the State, extending thence to the crest of the Rocky Moinitains, 
was added to Washington, This area, with the part of Washington 
lying east of its present limits, was included in Idaho on the formation 
of that Territory in 1863. 

The present boundaries of the State of Washing-ton are as follows: 
Beginning on the coast at the mouth of the Columbia River; following- 
up the main channel of the Columbia River to its point of intersection 
with the forty-sixth parallel of latitude; thence east on the forty-sixth 
parallel to the Snake River; thence down the main channel of the 
Snake River to the mouth of the Clearwater; thence north on the 
meridian which passes through the mouth of the (^learw^ater to the 
l)ouiKlaiy line between the United States and the British Possessions: 
thence west with that boiuidsiry lino to the Pacific. 

Washington was admitted as a State on November 11, 1889, with its 
limits as above defined. 



U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 



BULLETIN NO. 226 PL. LIV 




HISTORICAL DIAGRAM OF OREGON. 




ylo M 1 N G 



^ ' L. i Nevada! ^^X^h 1 ^ 



HISTORICAL DIAGRAM OF WASHINGTON. 

Bull. 226—04 16 



GA.vxETT.] BOUNDARY LINES OF THE STATES. 139 

CALIFORNIA, 

Culii'oniiu \v;is udmitted to the Union on September 9, 1850. Its 
area was taken from territory' accjuired from ]\lexico by the treaty of 
Guadelupe-Hidalg'o. Its limits, as detined in the State constitution, 
are as follows: 

Commencing at the point of intersection of forty-second degree of north latitude 
with the one hundred and twentieth degree of longitude west from Greenwich, and 
running south on the line of said one hundred and twentieth degree of west longi- 
tude until it intersects the thirty-ninth degree of north latitude; thence running in 
a straight line iji a southeasterly direction to the river Colorado, at a point where it 
intersects the thirty-lifth degree of north latitude; thence down the middle of the 
channel of said river to the boundary line between the United States and Mexico as 
established by the treaty of ^May 30, 1848; thence running west and along said 
boundary line to the Pacific Ocean, and extending therein three English miles; 
thence running in a northwesterly direction and following the direction of the Pacific 
coast to the forty-second degree of north latitude; thence on the line of said fortj^- 
second degree of north latitude to the place of beginning. Also all the islands, har- 
bors, and l»ays along and adjacent to the Pacific coast. 

The northern boundary was surveyed and marked in 1868-69, under 
the General Land Office. 



INDEX 



Page. 

Afadia, charter of, area embraced by 39 

Alabama, State of , admission of 10,36 

State of, boundai-y between Florida 

and. 108-109 

boundary between Georgia and . . 107 

between Mississippi and 109-110 

Territory of, formation and bounda- 
ries of .. 10,36 

Alaska, V)oiindary between Canada and, 
agreement of Boundary 

Tribunal concerning 28 

boundary between Canada and, map 

showing 26 

between Canada and, treaty pro- 
visions in regard to 25-26 

purchase of, history of 25-28 

Alexander, Robert , reference to 116 

Arizona, historical diagram of 134 

organization and boundaries of.. 38,134^135 

Arkansas, State of. admission of 36, 114 

State of , boundaries of 113-115 

historical diagram of 114 

Territory of, organization and bound- 
aries of 36,113 

Baltimore, Lord, grant to 89 

Barr, , western boundary of Con- 
necticut surveyed by 73 

Beck, James B., reference to 91 

Berkeley, Lord John , grant to 83 

Black, J. S., reference to 91 

Brooke, Lord, grant to 72 

Cagayan Jolo, purchase of 29 

California. State of, admission and bound- 
aries of 37,139 

Calvert, Philip, reference to.. 90 

Canada, boundary between Alaska and, 
treaty provisions in regard 

to.. 2.5-26 

boundary between Alaska and, map 

showing 26 

boundai*y between Maine and, maps 

showing.- 16,18 

between United States and, in 
Niagara River, map show- 
ing 10 

in St. Clair and Detroit rivers, 

map showing 12 

in St. Lawrence Rive;-, map 

showing 10 

in St. Marys River, map show- 
ing .. 14 

Carr, Robert, appointed commissioner on 
controversies in the colo- 
nies 73 



Page. 

Carteret, George, grant to 83 

Cartwright, George, appointed commis- 
sioner on controversies in 

the colonies 73 

Cherokee Indians, treaty with, provision 
of, concerning western 

boundary of Arkansas 114 

Cherokee Strip, addition of. to Territory 

of Oklahoma 130 

Choate, Ruf us, reference to 55 

Colorado, State of, admission and bound- 
aries of . 38,132-133 

Territory of , organization and bound- 
aries of 38,127,132 

Connecticiit, boundary between Massa- 
chusetts and 65-69 

bou7idary between Massachusetts 

and, map showing 68 

between New York and 71-72 73-76 

map showing 74 

between Rhode Island and 71-72 

map showing 72 

cessions by, to General Government. 36,76 
claims of, in Territory Northwest of 

theRiverOhio 83 

grants and charters in _ 72-73 

Crozat. Antoine de, grant to 19,20 

Culpeper, Lord, grant to , 96 

Dakota, division of 129 

organization and boundaries of .. 37, IS-V, 129 
See also North Dakota; South Da- 
kota. -' 
Delaware, boundary between Maryland 

and 88 

boundary between New Jersey and. . 84 

between Pennsylvania and 86 

grants and charters in 87-88 

Detroit River, boundary in, between 
United States and Canada, 

map showing 12 

District of Columbia, acts of Congress 

relating to _ 93-94 

bounds of 94 

lands ceded for 92-93 

Disturnell's map, extract from, showing 

southwestern boundary . , . 16 

Dixon, Chai'les, work of 86 

EUicott, Andrew, surveys by 82, 105-106 

Erie purchase, claims of States to 34 

Fairfax, Lord, grants by 96 

Florida, State of, admission of 108 

State of, boundary between Alabama 

and 108-109 

boundary between Georgia and. lOfi-107 

141 



142 



INDEX. 



Floi i'lu, Territory of, cessiouw and ri'tro- 

cessions of lands in Ills 

orj^anization of 108 

Flor idii i3ni"<-liase, history of 3:J-23 

Floridas. boundai-y between United 
States and, treatj- with 

Spain in regard to 10 

Gadsden pnichase, histoi-y of ;J5 

Qeorfda. Ixinndary between Alabama 

and.' - 107 

boundary between Florida and 106-107 

between North Carolina and 105 

between South Carolina and 103-104 

between Tennessee and 106 

cessions to General Government by__ 33, 

36,105 

grants and charters in 104 

historical diagram of _ 104 

Germany, arbitration by Emperor of 19 

Ghent, treaty of, provisions of, in regard 

to boundary 11-12 

Gorges, Ferdinando, lands granted to 40,41 

Gould, Major, western boundary of Con- 
necticut surveyed by 73 

Graham, Lieutenant-Colonel, verification 
by, of Mason and Dixon's 

lino - 87 

Graham, William A., reference to 91 

Great Britain, treaties with, 9-10, 10-15, 16, 17-19 
Guadalupe-Hidalgo, treaty of, territory 
added to United States 

by --- 33-25 

Guam, acquisition of 28 

Hapton, Lord, grant to 96 

Hawaiian Islands, acquisition of . . _ 28 

Hazen. Richard, survey by, of boundary 
between New Hampshire 

and Massachusetts 49 

Idaho, State of, admission of 137 

State of, boundaries of 137 

historical diagram of-- 136 

Territory of, formation and bound- 
aries of 38.129,136 

lUiuois, State of, admission of - - 1 20 

State of, boundaries of 120 

historical diagram of 130 

Territory of, formation and bound- 
aries of 120 

Indian Territory, limits of 37 

Oklahoma formed from 130 

Indiana, State of, admission of 35, 119 

State of, boundaries of.- 119-120 

historical diagram of 118 

Territory of, organization and bound- 
aries of 34-35,119 

Iowa, State of, admission of 36,125 

State of, boundaries of 125 

historical diagram of.- 124 

Territory of, organization and bound- 
aries of 36, 122, 124-125 

Jenkins, Charles A., reference to 91 

Kansas, State of, admission of "*127 

State of, boundaries of 127 

historical diagram of- -. 126 

Kansas, Territory of, formation and 

boundaries of- 37,126-127 



Page. 

Kentucky, State of , admission of 117 

boundai-ies of 117 

boundary between Tennessee and, 

map of 116 

between Virginia and 97-98 

map showing 96 

Kerr. Professor, quoted on north and 
south boimdary lines of 

North Carolina 101-102 

London, treaty of, provisions of, in re- 
gard to boundaries 10-11 

Louisiana, ancient limits of, as under- 
stood by France 19-20 

cession and retrocessions of 20-21 

State of, additions to 112 

admission of 36, 111 

historical diagram of 112 

original boundaries of - - - Ill 

Territory of, formation of 36 

name of, changed to Missouri Ter- 
ritory Ill 

Louisiana purchase, history of 19-22 

States and Territories formed from.. 36-37 

Maine, admi.ssion of, as a State. -. 70 

boundaries of - 39^7 

boundary between Canada and, maps 

showing - - - 16. 18 

between Canada and, settlement 

of _ 1.5-18 

between New Hampshire and, 

map showing 18 

resurvey of . - 45-47 

settlement of ..- 41-t4 

Marbois, Bar be, cited on limits of Loui- 
siana -.. 21.22 

Maryland, boundary between Pennsyl- 
vania and - 86-87 

boundary between Virginia and 89-92 

cession ( >f land by, for seat of govera- 

ment 92 

grants and charters in 89 

Mason and Dixon's line, survey of 86-87 

Mason, Jeremiah, work of 86 

Mason, John, lands granted to 40,47-48 

Massachusetts, boundary between Con- 
necticut and . _ 65-69 

boundary between Connecticut and, 

map showing 68 

between New Hampshire and 48-50 

between New Yoi'k and 69-71 

between Rhode Island and 55-65 

map showing 60 

between Vermont and - . 53 

of. on the north, maps showing.. .54 

cession of land to New York by 70 

cessions of land to General Govern- 
ment by. 31-32,70 

claims of, in Territory Northwest of 

the River Ohio- a3,34 

grants and charters in 54-55 

Maverick. Samuel, appointed commis- 
sioner on controversies in 

the colonies. -- 73 

Mexico, boundary between L^'nited States 
and. treaty provisions in 
regard to 23-24.25 



INDEX. 



143 



I'age. 

Mexico, territory acquired from 2:^25 

territoi'y acquired from. States and 

Territories formed from. _ 36-37 

Michigan, State of, admission of 35,121 

State of, boiindaries of 121-122 

boundary between Canada and, 
through St. Marys River. 

map showing 14 

historical diagram of 12(1) 

Territory of, formation and bound- 
aries of :35, 119, 13(V121 

Michler, N., reference to _ 91 

Minnesota, State of, admission of 36,126 

State of, boundaries of 126 

historical diagram of 12-1 

Territory of, formation and bound- 
aries of 35,36,125-126 

Mississippi, State of, admission of 36. 110 

State of, boundary between Ala- 
bama and 109.110 

boundary between Tennessee 

and..... 110-111 

historical diagram of 104 

TeiTitoi-y of, formation and Ijounda- 

riesof.. 36,109,110 

Missouri, State of, admission of 36. 123 

State of, boundaries of 123-124 

historical diagram of 122 

Territory of, formation and bounda- 
ries of 36.111,lri:s 

Mitchel, survey by. of boundary between 
New Hampshire and Mas- 
sachusetts - - - 49 

Munsell, Luke, reference to 116 

Montana, State of, admission of 132 

State of, boundaries of. 131-132 

Territory of, formation and bounda- 
ries of ... 38,131 

Monts. Sieur de, grant to 39 

Nebraska. State of, admission of 127 

State of, boundaries of . _ 127-128 

historical diagram of 126 

Territory of, formation and bounda- 
ries of - 37,127 

Netherlands, arbitration by the King of. 16-17 

Nevada, State of, admission of. 135 

State of, boundaries of 136 

historical diagram of 134 

Territory of, formation and bound- 
aries of.. 37-38,135-136 

New Hampshire, boundary between Can- 
ada and 51 

boundary between Canada and, map 

showing 18 

between Maine and, map showing . 18 

resurvey of 45-47 

settlement of 41-14 

between Massachusetts and 48-50 

between Vermont and 52 

char ter s and land grants in 47-48 

controversy between New York and, 

concerning boundary 50-51 

New Jersey, boundary between Delaware 

and 84 

boundary between Pennsylvania and . 84-85 
between New York and. 79-81 



Page. 
New Jersey, boundary of, map showing, 84 

grants and charters in 83-84 

sale of, by Duke of York 78 

New Mexico, formation and boundaries 

of 37.1.33 

historical diagram of 1.32 

New York, boundaries, western and 

southern, of, map showing 80 
boundary between Canada and, iu 
Niagara River, map show- 
ing.. 10 

between Canada and, in St. Law- 
rence River, map show- 
ing . 10 

between Connecticut and. 73-76 

map showing 74 

between Massachusetts and 69-71 

between New Jersey and 79-81 

between Pennsylvania and 81-83 

between Vermont and __ .52, .53 

map showing 52 

cessions to Genei-al Government by . . 31, 78 

to varioiis States by 78 

changes in territory of 78 

controversy between New Hamp- 
shire and, concerning 

boundary 50-51 

grants and charters in 77-78 

historical diagram of 78 

Niagara River, boundary in, between 
New York and Canada, 

map showing 10 

Nichols, Richard, appointed commis- 
sioner on controversies in 

the colonies 73 

North Carolina, boundary between 

Georgia and 105 

boundary between Soiith Carolina 

and..... 1(¥)-101,102 

between Tennessee and 102-103 

map of 102 

between Virginia and 100,101-102 

between Virginia, Tennessee, and, 

map of 98 

cessions to General Government 

by 32-33.:i5,98 

grants and charters in 99-100 

North Dakota, State of, admission of 129 

State of, boundaries of 129 

historical diagram of 128 

Ohio, admission of 33.117,118 

boundaries of 117-119 

histoi'ical diagram of 114 

Ohio River, territory northwest of. See 
Territory Northwest of 
River Ohio. 
Oklahoma Territory, formation and 

boundaries of 130 

historical diagram of 128 

Oregon, State of , admission of 37.137-1.38 

Oregon, State of, boundaries of 138 

historical diagram of 138 

Territory of, formation and bound- 
aries of 37, 137 

Orleans. Territoi"y of, admitted as State 

of Louisiana 11 



144 



INDEX. 



Orleans, Territory of, organization and 

boundaries of 3(;,111 

Paris, treaty of, territory relinqiiished 

by 41 

Pemacinid, annexation of, to New En- 
gland 41,54,78 

Penn, William, charters granted by SH 

grant to, of Province of Pennsylva- 
nia . -- 85,87 

territory purchased by - 78, 85 

Pennsylvania, boundary between Dela- 
ware and 86 

V)oundary between Maryland and 86-87 

between New Jersey and 84-85 

between New York and 81-83 

grants and charters in _ 85 

Peters, Doctor, latitude and longitude de- 
terminations by - - 82 

Philippine Islands, acquisition of 38-29 

Plymouth Company, charter of, extract 
from, defining boundaries 

ofMaine.- 4(1 

grants to and by - 39,72 

Popham, George, colony founded by 39 

Porto Rico, acquisition of - 28 

Providence Plantation, charter of, ex- 
tract from 71 

patent to, extracts from 71 

Rhode Island, boundary between Con- 
necticut and - 71-72 

boundary between Massachusetts 

and - - 55-65 

between Massachusetts and, con- 
troversy concerning 56-65 

map showing 60 

grants and charters in - 71 

Rhode Island and Providence Planta- 
tions, charter to 71 

Saffrey , Solomon, reference to 55, 56 

St. Clair River, boundary in, between 
United States and Canada, 

map showing 12 

St. Lawrence River, boundary in, be- 
tween New York and Can- 
ada, map showing 10 

St. Marys River, l)0\andary in, between 
Michigan and Canada, map 

showing 14 

Saltonstall, Rich;ird, grant to _ 72 

Say and Seal, Lord, grant to - 72 

Scarbrugh, Edmund, reference to 9fl 

Selleck, , western boundary of Con- 
necticut surveyed by 78 

Soiith Carolina, boundary between Geor- 
gia and 103-104 

boundary between North Carolina 

and 100-101,102 

cessions to General Government by . . . 32, 

35-36 

grants and charters in 103 

South Dakota, admission of 129 

historical diagram of 128 

Spain, treaty with, ceding Floridas to the 

United States, 23 

treaty with, ceding Porto Rico, Guam, 

and the Philippines 28 



Page. 
Spain, treaty with, provisions of, relat- 
ing to boundary between 
United States and the 

Floridas 10 

Stirling, Earl of, grant to. 39-4U 

Swedish West India Company, settlement 

by ' K5 

Tennessee, admission of 36 

boundaries of 115-117 

boundary between Georgia and 106 

between Kentucky and, map of . . 116 
between North Carolina and ... 102-103 

map of 102 

between Virginia and 98 

between Virginia, North Carolina, 

and, map of 98 

Territory Northwest of the River Ohio, 

areaandboundariesof 33 

claims of Connecticut in 33 

claims of Massachusetts in 33 

claims of Virginia in 33 

provisional government of, bill for. . , 33 

States formed from 1^4-35 

Territory South of River Ohio, bound- 
aries of 35 

Texas, admission of 36-37,112 

boundaries of 23,112-113 

boundary between New Mexico and. 113 

historical diagram of 112 

land sold to General Government by. 112 

Tutuila, acquisition of 29 

United States, accessions to territory of. 19-29 
accessions to territory of, map showing £0 

boundaries of 9-19 

boundary between Canada and, his- 
tory of settlement of 10-19 

between Canada and, in Niagara 

River, map showing 10 

in St. Clair and Detroit rivers, 

map showing 12 

in St. Lawrence River, map 

showing _ - 10 

in St. Marys River, map show- 
ing 14 

between Floridas and, treaty with 

Spain in regard to 10 

between Mexico and, treaty pro 

visions in regard to 23-24, 25 

soiithwestem boundary of, Dis- 
turnell's map of, extract 

from - 16 

Ushur, John, province of Maine deeded to 

and by 41 

Utah, State of, admission of 1 134 

State of, boundaries of. 134 

historical diagram of 132 

Territory of, formation and bounda- 
ries of 37,133-1:^4 

Vermont, admission of 53 

boundary Itet ween Canada and 52 

1 )et ween Massachusetts and 52 

between New Hampshire and — 52 

between New York and 52, 53 

map showing 52 

land ceded to New York by 53 

grants and charters in 51-52 



INDEX. 



145 



I'age. 
Virginia, boundary between Kentucky 

and, map showing % 

boundai-y between Maryland and 89-93 

between North Carolina and 100, 

101-103 
between North Carolina, Tennes- 
see, and, map of _ . 98 

between Tennessee and 98 

between West Virginia and 98-99 

map showing 94 

changes in territory of _ 95 

claims of, in Territory Northwest of 

theRiverOhio _ SS/Si 

division of 98 

first charter of, boundaries described 

in 95 

lands granted under 39 

gi'ants and charters in 95-97 

historical diagram of .*. . . 78 

land ceded to General Government 

by 31,93 

land ceded to various States by 95,96 

land retroceded to, by General Gov- 
ernment 95 

second charter of, boundaries de- 
scribed in 95 

third charter of, extract from 95 

western boundary of 98 



Page. 

Warwick, Earl of, grant to 73 

Washington, State of, admission of 138 

State of, boundaries of 138 

historical diagram of 138 

Territory of, formation and bound- 
aries of 37, 138 

Webster-Ashburton treaty, provisions 
of, in regai'd to northern 
boundary west of Rocky 

Mountains.. 18-19 

Webster, Daniel, reference to 55 

West Virginia, boundary between Mary- 
land and _ 

boundary b?tween Virginia and. 

between Virginia and, map show- 
ing.... 94 

Williams, Roger, settlement by 71 

Wisconsin, State of, admission of 35,133 

Stat3 of, boundaries of.. 133-133 

historical diagram of 130 

Territory of, formation and bounda- 
ries of :-5. 131,123 

Woodward, Nathaniel, reference to 55,56 

Wyoming, State of, admission of 133 

State of, boundaries of. 132 

Territory of, formation and bounda- 
ries of .. :^, 132 

York, Duke of, grants to. 40-41,51,73,77,78 



92 
98-99 



o 



\ 



PUBLICATIONS OF UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. 

[Bulletin No. 23(5.] 

The publications of tlie United States Geological Survey consist of (1) Annual 
Reports. (2) Monogi'aphs. (3) Professional Papers, (4) Bulletins. (5) Mineral 
Resources, (6) Water-Supply and Ix'rigation Papers, (7) Topographic Atlas of 
United States — folios and separate sheets thereof. (8) Geologic Atlas of United 
States — folios thereof. The classes numbered 2, 7. and 8 are sold at cost of pub- 
lication: the others are distributed free. A circular giving complete lists may be 
had on application. 

The Professional Papers, Bulletins, and Water-Supply Papers treat of a variety 
of subjects, and the total number issued is large. They have therefore been classi- 
fied into the following series: A, Economic geology: B. Descriptive geology: C, 
Systematic geology and paleontology: D. Petrography and mineralogy: E. Chem- 
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Water storage; K, Pumping water: L, Quality of water; M, General hydrographic 
investigations: N, Water power: O, Underground waters: P, Hydrographic 
progress reports. This bulletin is the thirty-seventh in Series F. the complete list 
of which follows (all are bulletins thus far) : 

SERIES F, GEOGRAPHY. 

5. Dictionary of altitudes in United States, by Henry Gannett. 1884. 335"pp. (Out of stock; 

see Bulletin 160.) 

6. Elevations in Dominion of Canada, by J. W. Spencer. 1884. 43 pp. (Out of stock.) 

13. Boundaries of United States and of the several States and Territories, with historical sketch 

of territorial changes, by Henry Gannett. 1885. 13.5 pp. (Out of stock; see Bulletin 171.) 
48. On form and position of sea level, by R. S. "Woodward. 1888. 88 pp. (Out of stock.) 
4ft. Latitudes and longitudes of certain points in Missouri. Kansas, and New Mexico, by R. S. 

Woodward. 1889. 1.33 pp. 
50. Formulas and tables to facilitate the construction and use of maps, by R. S. Woodward. 

1889. 124 lip. (Out of stock.) 
70. Report on astronomical work of 1889 and 1890, by R. S. Woodward. 1890. 79 pp. 
72. Altitudes between Lake Superior and Rocky Mountains, by Warren Upham. 1891. 239 pp. 
76. Dictionary of altitudes in United States (second edition), by Henry Gannett. 1891. 393 pp. 

(Out of stock; see Bulletin 160.) 

115. Geographic dictionary of Rhode Island, by Henry Gannett. 1894. 31 pp. 

116. Geographic dictionary of Massachusetts, by Henry Gannett. 1894. 126 pp. 

117. Geographic dictionary of Connecticut, by Henry (>annett. 1894. 67 pp. 

118. Geogi'aphic dictionary of New Jersey, by Henry Gannett. 1894. 131 pp. 

122. Results of primary triangulation, by Henry Gannett. 1894. 413 pp., 17 pis. (Out of stock.) 

123. Dictionary of geographic positions, by Henry Gannett. 1895. 183 pp.. 1 map. (Out of stock.)- 
154. Gazetteer of Kansas, by Henry Gannett. 1898. 246 pp., 6 pis. 

160. Dictionary of altitudes in United States (third edition), by Henry Gannett. 1899. 775 pp. 

(Out of stock. ) 
166. Gazetteer of L''tah, by Henry Gannett. 1900. 43 pp., 1 map. 

169. Altitudes in Alaska, by Henry Gannett. 1900. 13 pp. 

170. Survey of boundary line between Idaho and Montana from international boundary to crest 

of Bitterroot Mountains, by R. U. Goode. 19<XI. 67 pp.. 14 pis. 

171. Boundaries of United States and of the several States and Territories, with outline of 

history of all important changes of territory (second edition), by Henry Gannett. liXK). 
142 pp., .53 pis. ( Out of stock. ) 

174. Survey of northwestei-n boundary of L^nited States, 1857-1861, by Marcus Baker. 1900. 

78 pp., 1 pi. 

175. Triangulation and spirit leveling in Indian Territory, by C. H. Fitch. 19(X). 141 pp., 1 pi. 
181. Results of primary triangulation and primary traverse, fiscal year 19(XM)1. by H. M. 

Wilson. J. H. Renshawe. E. M. Douglas, and R. U. Goode. 1901. 240 pp.. 1 map. 
183. Gazetteer of Porto Rico, by Henry Gannett. 1901. 51 pp. 

I 



II PUBLICATIONS V. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. 

1R">. Results of spirit leveling, fiscal year 19<KM»], by H. M. Wils<jii. J. H. Renshawe, E. M. 

Doujjlas, and R. U. Goode. l'.)()l. »'19 pp. 
1S7. Geographic dictionary of Alaska, 1)y Marcus Baker. 19(11. 4-tti pp. (Out of stock, i 
1!M(. Gazetteer of Texas, l»y Henry Gannett. Ifflt'. !«;> pp.. h pis. ( Out of stw-k. I 
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1!)4. Northwest boundary of Texas, by Marcus Baker. 1!MI2. .51 pp.. 1 pi. 

190. Topographi<* development of the Klamath Mountains, Ijy J. S. DillM-. 19()2. 09 pp., 13 pis. 
197. The origin of certain place names in the United States, by Henry (iannett. 19fi;i. 2S0pp. 

< Out of stock. 1 
2(11. Results of primary triangulation and primary traverse, fiscal year 1901-02, by H. M. Wilson, 

J. H. Renshawe, E. M. Douglas, and R. U. Goode. 19(12. 10-1 pp., 1 pi. 
214. Ideographic tables and formulas, comi)iled by S. S. Gannett. 1903. 284 pp. 
210. Results of primary triangulation and x^rimary traverse, fiscal year 19(12-03. by S. S. Gannett. 

1903. 222 pp., 1 pi. 
224. Gazetteer of Texas (second edition), by Henry Gannett. 1904. 177 pp.. 7 pis. 
B 220. Boundaries of the United States and of the several States and Teri-itories, with an outline 
of the history of all important changes of territory (third edition). l>y Heni-y Gannett. 
1904. 14.5 pp., .54 pis. 

Correspondence should be addressed to 

The Director, 

United States Geological Survey. 

Washington, D. C. 
May, 1904. 



LIBRARY CATALOGUE SLIPS. 

[Mount each .slip upon a separate card, placing the subject at the top of the 
second slip. The name of the series should not be repeated on the series 
card, but the additional numbers should be added, as received, to the first 
entry.] 



Gannett, Henry. 

. . . Boundaries of the United States and of the sev- 
eral states and territories, with an outline of the history 
of all important changes of territor}^, 3d ed., b}' Henr}' 
Gannett. Washington, Gov't print, off,, 1904. 

145, III p. 54 pi. (incl. maps, diagrs. ). 235™'. (^'- »^- treological survey. 
Bulletin no. 226. ) 

Subject series F, Geography, 37. 
First ed. 1885. 



Gannett, Henry. 

. . . Boundaries of the United States and of the sev- 
eral states and territories, with an outline of the histor}'- 
of all important changes of territory, 3d ed., b}- Henr}^ 
Gannett. Washington, Gov't print, off., 1904. 

145, III p. 54 pi. (incl. maps, diagrs. ). 235™'. (U. S. Geological survey. 
Bulletin no. 226. ) 

Subject series F, Geography, 37. 
First ed. 1885. 



U. S. Geological survey. 

Bulletins. 

I no. 226. Gannett, Henry. Boundaries of the United 
States and of the several states and territories. 
... 3d ed. 1904. 

i U. S. Dept. of the Interior. 

I see also 

^ U. S. Geological survey. 



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